From 1st May, Channel 4 stars Nick Grimshaw, Alex Zane, Miquita Oliver, Rick Edwards and Matt Edmondson will be taking CTRL of the inaugural Topman CTRL Student Tour, bringing their musical passions to Newcastle, Leeds, Nottingham, Exeter and London. This series of free gigs comes hot on the heels of Topman CTRL Live, which sees some of the best emerging talent staging exclusive gigs across the country. Be sure not to miss out on one of the must -have tickets of 2010!
Through the brand new destination site www.topmanctrl.com music fans have been taken on a monthly musical journey inside the minds of their favourite artists including Gallows, Passion Pit and Ladyhawke. Now, Topman CTRL is set to hand over the keys to some of Channel 4's top presenters. For free tickets, register at www.topmanctrl.com - from Wednesday 24th March until Wednesday 21st April.
Each Channel 4 favourite has selected their hottest new acts and will be sending each of them to play a one-off exclusive gig across the length and breadth of the country. For those who don't manage to catch the live shows, each gig will be filmed for Channel 4, giving music fans the chance to see the latest bands, as never before, in an intimate setting in the true spirit of Topman CTRL. Catch the shows on Channel 4 from the 28th May.
Matt Edmondson is first up on 15th May representing Newcastle where The Futureheads and We Have Band will be playing at The Other Rooms. Starting off on Channel 4 as presenter of Freshly Squeezed and having recently joined BBC Radio 1 alongside Fearne Cotton every Friday for the entertainment news, Matt Edmondson will bring his irreverent style to his curated night.
Matt adds "I can't wait to get The Futureheads and We Have Band up to Newcastle - they're going to put on an amazing gig, and I hope they also put on an amazingly thick jumper… it's quite cold up there!"
Next up on 16th May in Leeds for Alex Zane is Archie Bronson Outfit and Everything Everything who will play at Brudenell Social Club. After presenting Channel 4's Popworld and Rude Tube, Alex Zane has become a firm favourite with TV audiences, and brings his music knowledge to Leeds on 16th May.
Alex says, "Leeds is my hometown and a wonderful city and it's playing host to two fantastic bands in the shape of Archie Bronson Outfit and Everything Everything. I'm gonna ask my mum if the bands can kip at her house!"
Step forward Miquita Oliver who will be championing Exeter and has selected Miike Snow and Kassidy to play on 18th May at Exeter Phoenix. Having begun her Channel 4 life co-presenting Popworld with Simon Amstell, Miquita Oliver is the self-made queen of T4 after entering her tenth year on the screen.
Miquita says, "I've picked a great mix of bands for the Exeter show, those Scandinavian musical Wizards..Miike Snow, who always put on a great show and I predict big things for Kassidy who are supporting them."
Flying the flag for London (venue to be announced) is Nick Grimshaw who will be serving up Yeasayer and Silver Columns on 19th May. Nick's career started on E4, crossing over to T4 to present Freshly Squeezed alongside Alexa Chung. Nick is now a part of the presenting team on T4 on weekends as well as presenting a regular show on BBC Radio 1.
And finally Rick Edwards' acts will be closing the tour in Nottingham on 20th May at Stealth with performances from The Big Pink and Darwin Deez. Regularly hosting T4's movie specials, Freshly Squeezed and gameshow Relentless, Rick has made his mark as a part of the T4 presenting family.