Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Update – 5 October 2010: this press release posted on 14 September 2010 has been updated with more information about Robert Plant's performance at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 Electric Proms.

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• Plant to perform on Friday 29 October with Band Of Joy
• Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two presents A Night With Robert Plant on Saturday 6 November
• The London Oriana Choir to collaborate with the legendary singer songwriter

Robert Plant is today announced by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ as the next headline act to be confirmed to perform at this year's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 Electric Proms.

The legendary Grammy Award-winning vocalist and lyricist will take to the stage with Band of Joy and the London Oriana Choir at the Roundhouse in London on Friday 29 October.

Radio 2 Electric Proms – Robert Plant will explore Plant's musical influences from Delta blues through to rock, and the native sounds of Africa.

The set will feature a number of much-loved Led Zeppelin and solo numbers together with eclectic new material from his latest critically acclaimed release, Band Of Joy, which is the follow-up from his multi-Grammy-winning album, Raising Sand.

Plant will perform with a new incarnation of his Band Of Joy, including singer Patty Griffin, multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott, guitarist and co-producer Buddy Miller, drummer Marco Giovino and bassist Byron House. Plant will also be joined on stage by the London Oriana Choir for unique moments from Plant's repertoire.

Radio 2 Electric Proms – Robert Plant will be broadcast live on Radio 2 at 8pm and then shown as a part of A Night With Robert Plant, a special night dedicated to showcasing Robert's continuing musical legacy, on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two on Saturday 6 November.

In addition to the concert, a new and exclusive documentary about Plant's life and musical history featuring a rare interview with Robert, will also be broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two – making the night an appointment to view for any music fan. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button and online will also provide exclusive clips and behind the scenes footage from Saturday 6 November.

Mark Cooper, executive producer, A Night With Robert Plant, said: "Robert Plant is on fire at the moment with five-star reviews following the release of his new album. Wherever he goes with a brilliant live band lead by guitarist/producer Buddy Miller he is causing a stir wherever he plays. Plant has never been afraid to reinvent his music and this adventurous show in which he explores material from the Band Of Joy album, reinterprets Led Zeppelin classics and combines with the London Oriana Choir, will be a sonic adventure with an artist who's too busy exploring new sounds to settle for merely being a legend. Combining Robert's Electric Prom with a documentary in which he talks in detail about his music and career should make for a great Night With Robert Plant for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two."

Now celebrating its fifth birthday, the Electric Proms was created by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to create new moments in music by inviting legendary artists to present one-off collaborations and performances. Past artists who have performed include Sir Paul McCartney featuring a rendition of Eleanor Rigby with a string quartet; Dame Shirley Bassey with guest appearances by James Dean Bradfield and Richard Hawley; Burt Bacharach with a guest appearance by Jamie Cullum; Oasis with the Crouch End Festival Chorus; and Doves with the London Bulgarian Choir. Now one of the UK's most eagerly anticipated live music festivals, Radio 2 is producing the festival for the first time.

Jeff Smith, Head of Music, Radio 2 and 6 Music, said: "The Radio 2 Electric Proms is the new highlight in our musical calendar and it's fitting that two of the listeners' most popular artists – Sir Elton John and Robert Plant – will perform 'the gig of their lives' for both Radio 2 listeners and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two viewers."

The line-up for the Radio 2 Electric Proms, as announced so far, is as follows:

Thursday 28 October – Sir Elton John with Leon Russell, Rumer and Plan B
Friday 29 October – Robert Plant with Band Of Joy and the London Oriana Choir

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ brings the best live music across TV, radio and online to audiences all year round, from major festival coverage at events like Glastonbury, T in the Park and Radio 1's Big Weekend to strands including Later…With Jools Holland and The Culture Show.

Special live music moments throughout 2010 have included The Mercury Music Prize, broadcast last week on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two and 6 Music, and this year's record-breaking Proms season.

The final legendary act to headline Radio 2 Electric Proms will be announced tomorrow morning (Wednesday 15 September) on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show at 8.15am. Tickets will go on sale later this month – stay tuned to Radio 2 for further details. Music fans can also sign up to the Radio 2 Events newsletter via to receive further Electric Proms updates.

Audiences are guaranteed to see and hear something truly memorable at the Radio 2 Electric Proms whether at the venue, watching on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two on subsequent Saturdays, listening to Radio 2, tuning in online and interacting with red button technology or on mobile.

Notes to Editors

There will be a very restricted number of reduced price tickets (Β£5) that will be made available in the week of the festival.

Last year over 2,560,000 people watched the Electric Proms on Red Button and there were over 236,260 visitors to the Electric Proms website in the event week.

Radio 2 Electric Proms on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The festival can be viewed and watched via a number of different platforms on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ:

Radio – there will be live and recorded broadcasts from all areas of the festival on Radio 2 each night of the event

TV – R2 Electric Proms: Robert Plant will be broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two on Saturday 6 November along with A Night With Robert Plant, a documentary featuring an exclusive interview and highlighting the artist's musical history, career highlights and influences.

Red Button and online will provide exclusive clips and behind the scenes footage from Saturday 6 November.

Full listings information will be available via the Radio 2 website.

SH