BBC Asian Network announce tweaks to weekend schedule
The BBC Asian Network has announced the line-up for Asian Network’s Residency, a show that champions the next generation of fresh DJ talent.
The strand brings listeners the biggest names in dance music, from the underground to the arena – with Ahadadream, Sandunes, DJ Firestarr and anu forming the Residency team from October 2019.
Kicking off with London-based producer and DJ Ahadadream on 6th October, the Asian Network Residency will feature cutting-edge DJs and producers from the UK rotating each week on a Sunday night between 23:00 – 01:00.
London-based producer and DJ Ahadadream represents percussive club sounds from all around the world, drawing influence from UK Funky, GQOM, Kuduro, Afrobeats and more. His music also incorporates his Pakistani heritage, often mutating traditional South Asian sounds into club anthems. He is the co-founder of More Time records, a label that marries percussion focussed club music from all around the world with a rugged UK sound.
Sandunes is a keys player, composer and beatsmith from Mumbai. Her work has trodden a global footprint, seeing her open for Bonobo, support George Fitzgerald’s album release tour, perform at London’s Barbican Centre under a commission from Warp Records and Boiler Room, play at India’s Magnetic Fields Festival, Mumbai’s National Centre for Performing Arts and tour the US supporting Pretty Lights. She co-founded Dasta – a beatmaker’s collective that focuses on DIY growth and empowerment through the arts in India.
Hailing from the Midlands, DJ Firestarr has over 15 years of experience playing in clubs across the UK and overseas. He runs his own club brand TURNT, which also provides a spotlight and platform for new talent in a club setting. Firestarr has toured with a range of artists including Giggs, Ghetts and Skrapz and hosts his own podcast and rap show #ImNotNewToThis where he has interviewed the likes of J Cole and Sean Paul.
anu is a DJ and illustrator from London. She kick-started her radio career on Radar Radio and went on to host a show on Peckham’s Balamii before landing a monthly slot on NTS. She represented NTS at the inaugural edition of Uganda’s Ngeye Ngeye Festival in 2017 as well as touring India in 2018. Further support for her diverse and daring style has come in the form of her Boiler Room debut in 2017 as well as a Resident Advisor live session from Brilliant Corners. anu is as comfortable churning out techno, new wave and electro as she is playing Japanese disco and left-field party anthems.
Ahadadream says, “I’ve always dreamt of being a radio broadcaster on the BBC and can’t wait to get on the Asian Network airwaves.”
Sandunes says, “I’m really excited to be curating and presenting a world of music – new and old, from South Asian territories and across the globe – stuff that I’ve been inspired by, and from artists who are building communities through their storytelling. I’m glad I’ll have opportunities to show and even personally discover new music through this process as well!”
DJ Firestarr says, “I’m super excited and gassed to be given this opportunity; I hope I can make every single person who supports me proud, while also giving listeners a dose of my vibe and getting them locked in! Anyone that knows me will know it’s been a major goal to be able to bring the best content, vibes and energy to the BBC and present a show for many years – that door is now open and the hard work really starts now. I hope to deliver brand new music, breakthrough artists, some very special guests in the studio and exclusives, not to mention a few heavy mixes of course! I hope the people enjoy what I have in store for them! I can’t wait for the first show!”
anu says, “I’m excited to bring a selection of everything from left-field dance music to pop and r&b to the BBC Asian Network Residency. I’ll be bringing my favourite artists, producers and DJs along for the journey!”
From 5th October, international DJ and music producer Nucleya’s show will move to Saturday night from 23:00 – 01:00, and from 22:00 – 01:00 every Saturday thereafter. The Asian Network Residency DJs will rotate each week on a Sunday night between 23:00 – 01:00.
In other changes, Nadia Ali will now present the Sunday night 19:00 – 21:00 slot and Ashanti Omkar will host from 21:00 – 23:00 slot.
