Rock and Pop: Preview - Electric Proms
Published: 7 October, 2010
by ROISIN GADELRAB
I’VE made my point on this page before but what has happened to the Electric Proms?
First, it’s been rebranded BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms (October 28-30) – the organisers have made that very clear to all Press.
Second, the headliners, Elton John, Robert Plant and Neil Diamond, are all only slightly one side or the other of claiming their pensions.
Third, we all fought to save BBC 6Music, they had their own section of the Proms last year, but by Radio 2 taking over we’ve lost that edge.
The greatest news about this year’s line-up is that a restricted number of £5 tickets will be released in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Don’t bank on them but for those who do snap them up, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, of sorts.
Now this is not an ageist page. In fact Plant featured here a couple of weeks ago when he played Kentish Town’s Forum, but this is more about the lack of new blood, and, though I hate the word, diversity.
Radio 2 may be a part of the establishment but it does also feature good new music. So why keep it so limited?
This year’s Proms will include a tiny sprinkling of younger pop acts – Plan B and Rumer will join Elton, and Plant gets the London Oriana Choir (October 29). But the Electric Proms tagline was always “creating new moments in music”.
There’s no doubt Elton, launching the event on Thursday (October 28) will put on a good show, and he’s a master at collaborations, but how is this going to work with Neil Diamond?
The greatest show I ever saw at the Proms was Africa Express. It had been a Proms staple but last year mysteriously dropped off the bill. Africa Express really defined the Electric Proms – a world away from the stuffy flag-waving crowd at the traditional Proms, it featured more than 100 artists of every discipline and background, crammed on Koko’s stage.
In 2008, it was Damon Albarn who brought it together and he’s been touring with various incarnations ever since.
This is not supposed to be a major moan about the Electric Proms.
Where else will you get the chance to see Elton at such close quarters for only £25? He’ll be joining his idol Leon Russell to play tracks from new album The Union but the classics will be there too.
And how will Plant create his “new moments” with the choir?
Sure, Neil Diamond will attract some older fans but also that irritating contingent who danced/drank/hooked up/staggered home to I’m a Believer and Sweet Caroline at every university summer ball.
As no other acts have been announced to join him, it would appear he will be making his new moments by himself. If none materialise, it might be fair to say the concept’s becoming a myth.
The good news is the whole thing will be broadcast on Radio 2 for those who miss it, presented by Bob Harris (any excuse to hear more of Harris’s voice is very welcome).
• Tickets for the R2 Electric Proms, are £25 from www.bbc.co.uk/radio2.
• A restricted number of £5 tickets will be released in the weeks leading up to the festival