Big Weekend

With the Radio 1 Big Weekend event coming to Swindon, music fans will not only get the chance to see top UK and international acts up close and personal at the event itself, but also the cream of local musical talent at the official Fringe Festival.

Beatbullyz

Sixteen of Swindon and the South West's most promising unsigned bands are to play live in and around Swindon, in the week leading up to the main weekend event.

From Monday 4th May to Thursday 7th May the Fringe takes place at four live music venues across Swindon town centre. Each venue hosts the festival for one night and four bands will play at each.

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend Fringe delivers a specific focus to supporting live music in the Swindon and surrounding area.

Jason Carter, Editor, Live Events said: "Through the BBC partnership with Swindon Borough Council and Swindon Does Arts, we will be continuing to support new and under the radar music at the fringe, but with real attention on artists in the region that have caught the attention of the fringe group - it's a strong line-up of exciting new acts for the future."

Cllr Phil Young of Swindon Borough Council continued: "The Fringe events just add to the Big Weekend experience and allows us to reach out to even more local people and get them involved in the thriving arts and music scene in Swindon."

Matt Kilford

The bands have been handpicked by a panel headed up by Huw Stephens and including local music representatives, including Daniel Garrett who presents BBC Wiltshire's Introducing Show (UNDERGROUND) and Steve Causer who runs the Swindon arts and entertainment listings magazine, Frequency.

Daniel Garrett said: "The Fringe Festival is the perfect platform for people outside Wiltshire to see what a thriving music scene we have here in the county.

"The talented local bands and artists we have carefully selected to play across the Fringe gigs are the very best Wiltshire has to offer, and I hope the considerable exposure they receive from being involved will lead on to even greater opportunities for them all."

Swindon hip-hop outfit Beat Bullyz - who have also been chosen to represent the town at the BBC Introducing Stage on the Sunday at the Big Weekend itself - will be headlining one of the Fringe events, along with other top Swindon acts The Alfonz, Matt Kilford and The Dead Lay Waiting.

The full calendar of Big Weekend Fringe Festival gigs is as follows:

Monday 4th May

THE 12 BAR - 16 Years Plus - 7.30pm -11pm

The Alfonz
The Volt
The Shebeats
The Kulucci March

Tuesday 5th May

THE VICTORIA - 18 Years Plus - 7.30pm – 11pm

The Alfonz

Matt Kilford
Sleeping with Giants
Kill it Kid
Seeräuberjenny

Wednesday 6th May

THE FURNACE - 14 Years Plus - 7pm – 11pm

The Dead Lay Waiting
Casino Drive
Decora
Realign The Stars

Thursday 7th May

REHAB - 18 Years Plus - 8pm – 11pm

Beat Bullyz
Para
Chew Magna
Old School Tie

Radio 1's Huw Stephens said: "The Fringe gives Radio 1 a unique opportunity to celebrate new and unsigned bands and also to explore the local music scene – from guitar bands through to dance acts. I’m really looking forward to being there for it."

All the gigs will be free of charge. Further details can be found at the link below.