BBC Four is to celebrate the rise of British independent music with a new three-part series of programmes.
Presented by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Mark Radcliffe, the programmes will feature interviews with many of the key bands, songwriters and industry figures including James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers, Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos, Carl Barat of The Libertines, Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder, Suede’s Bernard Butler and Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes To Hollywood
The opening episode of the series explores the origins of the UK’s alternative music scene in the seventies and the rise of punk music. Episode two looks at the 1980s, when the independent labels transformed from cottage industries into real businesses that could compete with the majors. The final part examines the rise of Britpop acts including the infamous chart battle between Blur and Oasis.
Presenter Mark Radcliffe said: ‘This is really a story that's been waiting to be told.
‘We're always hearing about the seismic shifts the music business is undergoing, but in many ways, this was the first – when the egalitarian independent spirit of punk and DIY broke the stranglehold of the men in suits in the posh offices of the major labels in that there London, creating the soundtrack of our lives along the way.’
The programmes also include interviews with other industry commentators including Pete Waterman, Factory Records’ designer Peter Saville and music entrepreneur Seymour Stein.
The hour-long programmes will air on Fridays from early October.
Presented by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Mark Radcliffe, the programmes will feature interviews with many of the key bands, songwriters and industry figures including James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers, Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos, Carl Barat of The Libertines, Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder, Suede’s Bernard Butler and Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes To Hollywood
The opening episode of the series explores the origins of the UK’s alternative music scene in the seventies and the rise of punk music. Episode two looks at the 1980s, when the independent labels transformed from cottage industries into real businesses that could compete with the majors. The final part examines the rise of Britpop acts including the infamous chart battle between Blur and Oasis.
Presenter Mark Radcliffe said: ‘This is really a story that's been waiting to be told.
‘We're always hearing about the seismic shifts the music business is undergoing, but in many ways, this was the first – when the egalitarian independent spirit of punk and DIY broke the stranglehold of the men in suits in the posh offices of the major labels in that there London, creating the soundtrack of our lives along the way.’
The programmes also include interviews with other industry commentators including Pete Waterman, Factory Records’ designer Peter Saville and music entrepreneur Seymour Stein.
The hour-long programmes will air on Fridays from early October.
