Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Digital radio station Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 6 Music today announces a duo of live sessions to celebrate the influence of two of the Eighties leading synth lights on today's new wave of pop vocalists.

As part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 6 Music Live strand, synth legend Gary Numan will duet with pop princess Little Boots on 7 December 2009, followed by a collaboration between Eighties new wavers Heaven 17 and electropop duo La Roux on 26 January 2010.

The sessions will take place at the legendary Maida Vale Studios and will be broadcast on 6 Music at 7.00pm on Friday 11 December and Friday 29 January respectively.

Both concerts will also be available to view on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button for a week from Friday 29 January 2010.

On the opportunity to work with Gary Numan, Little Boots says: "I've been a fan of Gary Numan for what feels like such a long time. His album The Pleasure Principle is one of my absolute favourites so to have the opportunity to play a special session with him for 6 Music blows my mind.

"At the rehearsal, I was so excited to meet him. It was so interesting talking to him and actually playing together – wow! He played Wembley when he was 21 – such an inspiration. It's going to be amazing!"

Gary Numan says: "I've heard Little Boots and I think she's really good so, when I was offered the chance to work with her, I thought it was a great idea."

Speaking about Heaven 17's collaboration with La Roux, keyboardist Martyn Ware says: "Heaven 17 have always maintained an open mind and collaborative attitude towards new musical ideas, and when the opportunity to work with La Roux came up, we jumped at the chance.

"We really like their attitude towards pop writing, and we're also fans of Elly's voice – we're sure that our writing and performance experience combined with La Roux's youthful energy and talent will create a unique and exciting collaboration."

La Roux's Elly Jackson says: "Ben has long been a fan of Heaven 17, since the early Eighties really. He introduced me to them while we were working together and their music soon became a key influence on the debut La Roux album.

"I know that for Ben particularly this is an opportunity to work with one of his heroes, and that's not something you are often given the chance to do, it's amazing really.

"I'm personally looking forward to singing with Glenn [Gregory, lead singer of Heaven 17] as I really admire the expression in his vocals. I think it will be an interesting contrast to mine.

"Also, we put Glenn on the list for one of our first ever gigs but there was a mix up and the bouncers didn't let him in, so now we'll get to apologise properly in person!

"And hopefully get to make some great music at the same time. I can't wait."

Jeff Smith, Head of Music, 6 Music, says: "Forming collaborations such as Gary Numan with Little Boots and Heaven 17 with La Roux is the perfect way to continue 6 Music's aim to create unique live experiences that give audiences an insight into the musical influence of all the artists that we play."

Notes to Editors

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 6 Music can be accessed through DAB digital radio, digital TV and online at bbc.co.uk/6music.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 6 Music is a digital radio station that brings together the cutting-edge music of today, the iconic and groundbreaking music of the past 40 years, and unlimited access to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's wonderful music archive.

In the third quarter of 2009 the station attracted 624,000 listeners.

Its line-up includes an eclectic mix of presenters, from Steve Lamacq to Bruce Dickinson, Shaun Keaveny to Adam & Joe, and has recently announced the addition of Jarvis Cocker to its roster of on-air talent.

Gary Numan ruled the charts in the early Eighties with hits such as Are Friends Electric and Cars, which was a Top 10 hit in both the UK and US. As one of the first synthesiser hit successes in pop music, his legacy lives on and he has a diverse legion of fans including new 6 Music presenter Jarvis Cocker, David Bowie, hip-hop legend Africa Bambaataa and Damon Albarn.

Little Boots, aka Victoria Hesketh, burst onto the pop scene last year, topping the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sounds of Music poll 2009 and later receiving a BRIT Critics Choice nomination. Playing keyboard and xylophone, Little Boots' debut album Hands garnered hits such as New In Town and Remedy.

La Roux is lead vocalist Elly Jackson and synth player, co-writer and co-producer Ben Langmaid, who plays no live part of the band. Nominated for the Mercury Music Prize earlier this year for their debut album La Roux, which features hits including In For The Kill and Bulletproof, the band won the 02 Silver Clef Awards for Best Newcomer and supported Lily Allen on tour earlier this year.

Hailing from Sheffield in the early Eighties, Heaven 17 was created when Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware split from an earlier incarnation, The Human League, and recruited their friend Glenn Gregory for lead vocals. Using synthesisers and drum machines to drive their sound, their biggest hit was Temptation featuring Carol Kenyon, which reached no. 2 in the UK charts in 1983 and was taken from the platinum-selling The Luxury Gap album.

CH