The Fringe will celebrate the local music scene, from guitar bands through to bedroom DJs, MCs and everything in between. Maidstone can look forward to the event taking place in the town in the week preceding Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

BBC Kent Introducing will choose their favourite bands to play a night of the fringe and then Huw Stephens will choose his two favourite bands from this night who will go on to play the BBC Introducing stage on site over the weekend. The BBC Introducing stage is all about giving some of the best new artists who are currently being championed by Huw Stephens and other R1 DJ’s the chance to be a part of Radio 1’s Big weekend.

A panel made up of BBC Kent Introducing presenters James Bursey and Tom Kirkby, Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, the Radio 1 Live events team and Radio 1 producers will be responsible for selecting the bands to play live at the Fringe.