Virgin Radio made history today, as it became the first ever national radio station to launch live from a moving train – a Virgin Train – including live performances from some of the UK’s leading bands; Travis, Mystery Jets, Walking On Cars, Gavin James and The Feeling.  Spectators gathered at Manchester Piccadilly as Virgin Radio’s breakfast and drive-time presenters, Edith Bowman and Matt Richardson, unveiled the newly named Virgin Radio Star, alongside Sam Branson.
 
As the train departed the station, Edith and Matt kicked off the new station’s first ever broadcast. The train then journeyed through the UK, via Crewe, Birmingham and Rugby, with the bands performing a range of hits both current and present, and with a selection of full band and acoustic performances.
 
On arrival into London, guests were taken to the new Virgin Radio studio, where Reef performed a final live show in the building’s brand new performance space, ‘The Red Room’.


Sam Branson, speaking on board the Virgin Radio Star admitted that: “Being part of the live launch of Virgin Radio has been an awesome experience. It’s not often that you get to hear such great music in such an intimate space... let alone on a moving train!”


Fran Healy of Travis, acknowledged his bands emotions by stating that they were “thrilled to be asked to be the conductors on Virgin Radio’s first broadcast. Anyone without a ticket is OFF... unless they Sing!"

 
Speaking after the day’s festivities, Edith Bowman said:

“What an exhilarating experience! To be part of the launch of one of radio’s most iconic brands is exciting anyway, but to do it with such a bang has been sensational. Virgin Radio has started as it means to go on, playing fantastic music, doing things that seem like they can’t be done, but which sound great on air and make the listener experience completely unique.”

Virgin Radio is available now on DAB digital radio, with a fresh new line-up of presenters, from experienced broadcasters like Edith Bowman, to witty comedians like Matt Richardson who’ll be on air for the first time. Bringing a little edginess, verve and humour back to the airwaves, the station will play a wide range of pop and rock, from the best 80s and Britpop tunes, to the latest artists.


Listeners need to retune their digital radio to pick up Virgin Radio.
For more information, visit VirginRadio.co.uk.

Iconic radio brand Virgin Radio, which launches on Wednesday 30th March, has today announced that popular comedian Russell Kane and charismatic presenter Angela Scanlon will head the weekend schedule for the much anticipated station. The Saturday Show (Saturday, 10am-1pm) with Russell and Angela will kick off the weekend in style, featuring quality music, comedy features and star guests from the world of music.


Multi-award winning comedian, presenter, actor, author and screenwriter Russell Kane is best known as the host of three series of BBC3’s Live At The Electric, regular appearances on BBC1’s Live At The Apollo, BBC3’s Unzipped and ITV2’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here Now! Nominated four times for prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Russell won best show in 2010, going on to make history as the first comedian to win both the Edinburgh Award and Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Barry Island in one year. Russell is currently touring his latest stand up show, ‘Right Man, Wrong Age’ around the UK.


Angela recently hosted the BAFTA red carpet for BBC Three, interviewing some of the biggest stars of the film industry and, in February 2016, it was announced that Angela is to co-present Robot Wars alongside Dara O’Briain, returning to BBC2 after a 10 year hiatus. With a wealth of presenting experience to her name, including digital host on The Voice and regular appearances on The One Show, Angela was also cited as ‘one to watch’ by Vogue in 2013.


Speaking of his forthcoming role, Russell said:

“I’m buzzing like a bee on a Berocca to be involved with Virgin Radio. Angela and I can’t wait to get stuck into our weekend show; we plan on bringing a bit of controlled mayhem to music radio on a Saturday mornings. Also - I hope to bag loads of cheap Virgin flights and stuff like that. Love you, Dicky Branson!"


The Virgin Radio Takeover (Sundays, 10am-1pm) will see a big name personality take charge of the station and play their favourite songs to the nation, with several high profile celebrities confirmed, including Danny Wallace.


Whether staying in or going out, weekend nights are going to bring a party vibe to Virgin Radio. Friday nights (7pm-11pm) will see the multi-award nominated double act, Johnny and Inel, bring their unique brand of humour to the airwaves, taking over for a show that’s fresh, frank and brilliantly upbeat. The Mac Twins, two of the UK’s hottest new media stars, will present on Saturday evenings (7pm-11pm), with an entertaining mix of music including some old skool and hip-hop. Although the twins look identical and share their careers, Lisa and Alana MacFarlane couldn’t be more different in personality, which will make for a creative and varied show.


Blast from the past Ben Jones is the only presenter on the re-launched Virgin Radio who featured on the original station, and will be bringing a wealth of experience in interviewing big musicians and a passion for music to Saturday afternoons. Jon Jackson, known for previous presenting roles on stations including Kerrang! and The Hits, takes on weekend afternoons, while experienced radio broadcaster Georgie Rogers rounds off the weekend with a new music discovery show (Sundays, 9pm-12am), playing an eclectic mix of new music and alternative classics.


Best of Total Access (Sundays, 7pm-9pm) is hosted by Elliot Holman and will feature a round-up of the hottest interviews from the Total Access show which runs on weekdays across the Wireless Group’s local stations. Big names that have been interviewed during the show over the last year include a special edition with Little Mix presenting, plus One Direction, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora and many more.


Danny Mylo and Rosie Madison, also part of the Wireless Group family, have presented the breakfast show for Pulse 1 together for almost two years and will now also bring the latest music and fun features to the airwaves on Virgin Radio too (Sundays, 4pm-7pm).


Liam Thompson, Programme Director for Virgin Radio, said: “I’m really proud of the wealth of talent we’ve got to unleash on the airwaves at Virgin Radio. Russell and Angela will bring energy and intelligence to Saturday mornings, while Johnny and Inel are really going to engage people with their unique style. Every presenter is absolutely passionate about music – this is going to be high octane radio at its very best.”


Virgin Radio’s weekday presenter line-up includes Edith Bowman (6am – 10am), Jamie East (10am – 1pm), Kate Lawler (1pm – 4pm), Matt Richardson (4pm – 7pm), and Tim Cocker (7pm – 10pm).


Listeners need to re-tune their digital radio to pick up Virgin Radio.

For more information, visit VirginRadio.co.uk.

The Music Industry Self Help Guide 2nd Edition as recently covered in The Huffington Post, is an essential self-development guide that covers all of the elements needed for independent and emerging artists to gain a foothold on their career and understand the requirements that one needs to have to grow in today’s music industry.It is the goal of Repel Media to bring the resources and information that are necessary for success directly to the musicians who need it. Targeting music markets that facilitate the growth of independent musicians, Los Angeles is the top priority on a short list of cities and that the book will be introduced to first.

Mike Repel, the books author, who is lifelong Chicagoan, travels to the Los Angeles area a few times a year to speak on conferences (IES, NAMM), recognizes the importance of having his book available in this market and has said:

"There is no disputing the fact that Los Angeles is the west coast epicenter of the creative arts. The vast amount of opportunities and music professionals on hand in this city has helped my personal growth in this industry and is a golden opportunity for the artists that come prepared as well. However, having access to this network without first covering the basic fundamentals in one’s own career can be self-defeating and prove to be an exercise in futility. Alternatively, an educated artist who knows what this industry is going to throw at him ahead of time will create a stronger generation of up-and-coming musicians that will strengthen the industry overall."

Physical copies of this essential artist development guide are now available for purchase at Book Soup 8818 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

List price $19.99  - 400 pages. ISBN 978-099-15155-3-0