1Xtra Live will return to the Midlands this year, where some of the hottest acts from across the black British and global music scenes will take to the stage.

The station’s flagship live music event will take place at the Arena Birmingham on Saturday 5 October 2019. The first acts were revealed on MistaJam’s 1Xtra Show today, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Performing on the night will be (in alphabetical order):

• Aitch
• French Montana
• Jaykae
• Lil Tecca
• Ms Banks
• Popcaan

And there are a few surprises in store for the night too…

1Xtra continues its commitment to championing home-grown talent with this year’s line-up. Mancunian MC Aitch was named on 1Xtra’s Hot For 2019 list, South London’s Ms Banks dropped her first freestyle for 1Xtra back in 2016, and Birmingham’s very own Jaykae made his debut in the 1Xtra Live Lounge last year. As well as supporting new music, 1Xtra Live brings huge global artists to a UK stage: past host cities include Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow and London, with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, Travis Scott, Chance The Rapper, Mary J. Blige and Kelly Rowland all having played the event over the years.

French Montana says: “I can’t wait to return to the stage at 1Xtra Live! UK get ready to WIGGLE IT!”

Ms Banks says: “I’m so excited to be performing at 1Xtra live, this has been a long life dream of mine and I just can’t wait to touch stage!!!”

Jaykae says: “By order of the Peaky Blinders I have been sent to take the roof off of 1Xtra Live in my hometown Birmingham.”

DJ Target says: “1Xtra Live is our flagship night where we really get to let our hair down and showcase some of the cream of artists we love and support on the network. This year we head to Birmingham, a city we’ve always had an amazing relationship with, and we bring another incredible line up with us, including French Montana, who’s gone from strength to strength since we last welcomed him as a surprise in 2017. His full set is going to go off. Aitch is undoubtedly next up when it comes to UK Rap and he’s going to kill it; Ms Banks has had a fierce year too and is brilliant live. Hometown boy Jaykae, Dancehall hero Popcaan, and 16 year old US phenomenon Lil Tecca are also set to tear the roof off Arena Birmingham. And we’ve still got more to announce – it’s gonna be crazy!”

Mark Strippel, 1Xtra’s Head of Programmes, says: "1Xtra Live 2019 promises to be a remarkable event, with an exciting mix of emerging and established artists set to descend on the West Midlands this October. Birmingham has long been a beacon for Rap and Grime music in the UK, and it's vital that we continue to reflect the scale and growth of the scene on 1Xtra. With some brilliant surprise acts already lined up to perform, it's sure to be an unmissable night."

1Xtra Live will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Asian Network from 7pm on Saturday 5 October. 1Xtra Live: The Warm Up will capture all of the backstage build-up from 4-7pm on 1Xtra.

Tickets for 1Xtra Live 2019 will be available via the 1Xtra website from 6pm on Thursday 29 August.

The Inspire ME Tour

1Xtra will be heading out on tour during the lead up to 1Xtra Live, visiting schools, community centres and community radio stations across Birmingham and the surrounding areas.

Kicking off on Tuesday 17 September and spanning the three weeks leading up to 1Xtra Live, the Inspire ME tour will visit 12 local schools to deliver a range of exciting outreach activities. 1Xtra will host sessions designed to give young people an introduction to working in the creative industries, providing them with the skills, know-how and motivation they need to take those all-important first steps. Meanwhile, the station will be teaming up with local community centres to offer young musicians the chance to experience a music masterclass with 1Xtra DJs.

1Xtra will also head to community radio stations during the tour, teaming up with local DJs to take over the airwaves and offering radio masterclasses to young people with an interest in production and presenting.