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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Asian Network DJ Bobby Friction, last night revealed the line-up for the first ever ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing Stage at the London Mela.

The stage, which is present at most of the summer festivals, will be hosting some of the best under-the-radar Asian artists, which have been featured on Bobby Friction's Asian Network show. It will also bring some very special guests to the event, which is being held at Gunnersbury Park on Sunday 8 August.

Jason Carter, Editor, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing says: "We are delighted to now have a ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing stage at one of the major Asian music events in the UK - the London Mela - one of the highlights of the year. We want to be able to provide some top notch opportunities for the best new musicians, across genres with contemporary music. Hosting our stage here at the Mela in 2010, enables us to open the door further to what is an extremely vibrant, new Asian music scene."

Bobby Friction champions under the radar and fresh Asian talent in his Friction Introducing show every Monday on the Asian Network. Incorporating a whole range of genres and artists, the show is an invaluable platform for upcoming Asian talent.

Bobby Friction adds: "This stage will be a unique presence at the London Mela, and I'm very excited by it! New music is the lifeblood of an evolving Asian music scene, as well as my Asian Network show, and I hope this stage will reflect all that is great and innovative about ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing on "Friction". The added special guests are old friends and massive names within Desi music, and I'm proud that they are gracing the Introducing Stage with their presence. Come down on the day and experience a new kind of music stage at Europe's biggest outdoor Mela."

The line-up for the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing Stage at the London Mela is:

RKZ
Jaya
Panjabi MC (Special Guests)
Jernade Miah
Shizzio
Raghav (Special Guests)
JK

For more information about the artists, please visit – www.bbc.co.uk/introducing.

RKZ, Jaya, Jernade Miah, Shizzio and JK, have all come through ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Asian Network's Friction Introducing and Bobby has championed Raghav while he was at ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 1.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing is a multi-platform initiative across Radio 1, 6Music, Radio 1Xtra, the Asian Network, Switch, over 35 ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Local Radio stations and at bbc.co.uk/introducing - all working together to provide an internal network dedicated to showcasing the hottest new talent from across the UK.

Having launched at Glastonbury in 2007, The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing Stage is now present at key UK music festivals throughout the year, including Glastonbury, T in the Park and Reading and Leeds. Musicians can upload their music at bbc.co.uk/introducing for the possible opportunity of being broadcast on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio, which could lead to a slot on one of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing stages. By supporting new music, over 500 bands have been showcased on a ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Introducing festival stage since it began.

Notes to Editors

The Asian Network finishes its Summer of Melas Season at the London Mela, having visited 11 Melas throughout the country since the beginning of June. The station is a key feature at the London Mela with the network programming the event's Main Stage. Hosted by the station's Tommy Sandhu, Sonia Deol, Noreen Khan and Murtz, this year, the stage sees performances from Gunjan, Rishi Rich, H Dhami, Preeya Kalidas, Mumzy and many more.

The Asian Network Mix Tent will again be at the Mela, hosted by Nihal and will enjoy sets from a selection of the station's DJ talent.

The Asian Network's A Summer Of Melas highlights programme will be available for seven days on the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Red Button from 16 August.

For more information and pictures from the Asian Network's Summer of Melas Season, please visit bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork.

SG