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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing announces that 20,000 artists have submitted their music through its Uploader tool.

Together with the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s wide sharing of new music across networks and local radio, emerging artists are being given the chance to showcase their music across ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ radio, television and online, perform at music festivals and follow in the footsteps of acts like Florence and the Machine and Chipmunk.

Since its launch in February 2009, the Uploader tool has been key in developing new music, with over 45,000 tracks being submitted for review. The multi-platform initiative encourages bands and artists to upload their music on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing website – bbc.co.uk/introducing, giving them invaluable opportunities for exposure across the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳.

Jason Carter, editor, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing, says: "For the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing Uploader to hit 20,000 artists is a really big moment. It's great that so many brand-new artists have had their first ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ broadcast because they've simply uploaded their music through the site.

"It is a sign of the strength of the networks and the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s commitment to supporting new music that tracks can be shared between local and national stations, which then lead to these talented artists being showcased at Maida Vale, across radio and television, at festivals and at bbc.co.uk/introducing.

The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing stage returns to the summer festivals this year, where new artists will get the opportunity to play at Radio 1's Big weekend, Glastonbury, T in the Park, Reading and Leeds and, for the first time ever, at the London Mela.

Also, for the first time, the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing stages will feature a returner's slot. Artists who have played the stages in previous years, who have now started to find a wider audience, will be given the chance to return to the stage where it all started and perform a headline slot.
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As well as the Uploader tool, the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing site also offers a hub of practical advice and information for new artists wanting to take the next step in the industry. It features over 100 videos from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ talent, industry experts including agents and managers, publishers and promoters, as well as videos from established acts such as the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing success stories Chipmunk and The Temper Trap.

The site also highlights artists who have uploaded their music, with videos from those who have gone onto perform at festivals and record Maida Vale sessions.

Notes to Editors

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ IntroducingÌýsupports unsigned, undiscovered andÌýunder the radar musiciansÌýacross the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳Ìý– giving the best new artists broadcast opportunitiesÌýon ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ radio, television and online, as well as chances to perform at major festivals.

Supporting new talent is at the core of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s mission and ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing has been offering unique broadcast and performance opportunities to new, unsigned and under the radar musicians forÌýover two years.

Since launching in 2007, with it's own stage at Glastonbury Festival, the multi-platform initiative across ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 1, 6 Music, 1Xtra, the Asian Network, Switch, over 35 ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Local Radio stations and at bbc.co.uk/introducing attempts to discover the hottest new talent across the UK. By supporting new music, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing has showcased over 400Ìýbands since it began.

In addition to the opportunities outlined above, the initiative also offers artists the experience of recording a session at Maida Vale Studios, giving them the invaluable time with ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ engineers who have worked alongside huge artists like Nirvana, Oasis and the Foo Fighters.

All recorded sessions are streamed online and played out across the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio networks (Radio 1, 1Xtra, Asian Network and 6 Music) and ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Local Radio.

For the first time, in late 2009, Radio 1 played out tracks from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing artists in daytime shows and will continue to do so at key moments in 2010. TheÌýRadio 1 Music team will pick artists from ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing stage line ups and they will each get a week of daytime plays.

SG