Radio 2 is going it alone for this year's BBC Electric Proms – and bringing headliners Sir Elton John, Robert Plant and Neil Diamond to the 3-day festival at London's Roundhouse next month.
The gigs will be broadcast live on the radio and also available for TV viewers on the 'red button' service.
Simon Mayo will be presenting an extended Radio 2 drivetime show live from the Roundhouse which will preview that night's event on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October from 5pm until 8pm. On Saturday 30 October from 6pm until 8pm, Simon will host a special edition of his show which will preview the final night of the event.
Simon comments: "Three great Electric Proms, three Drivetime shows from the Roundhouse that will touch the hem of greatness."
Bringing the festival to a close in style, Bob Harris will be broadcast live from the Roundhouse from 10pm until midnight on Saturday 30 October and will reflect on the best of the three nights of live music with interviews and festival highlights.
Bob says: "The power trio of Sir Elton John, Robert Plant and Neil Diamond is a dream line-up for any festival, so for them to be playing the Radio 2 Electric Proms 2010 is a joy for us all. I'm looking forward to finding out the behind the scenes stories of the event."
The Electric Proms started five years ago but this year's the first that Radio 2 has produced the festival in its entirety.
Jeff Smith, Head of Music, Radio 2 and 6 Music, told us: "It's the first year of Radio 2's Electric Proms so I wanted to make sure we represented the music and musicians of our listeners' lives and with Neil Diamond we have the perfect finale. Neil Diamond joins Sir Elton John and Robert Plant to form a triumvirate of the finest rock and pop musicians whose songs sum up Radio 2's love of timeless and melodic music. These three Radio 2 core artists will effectively curate an evening each and I'm sure the brilliant ideas these artists have for their respective nights will remain true to the established ethic of the Electric Proms and give music fans in the hall, those listening on Radio 2 and those watching on TV a real treat."