BBC Radio 1 announces Olympics music festival in Hackney

Labrinth, Trevor Nelson, Phillips Idowu, Leona Lewis and Hackney school students at the Hackney Empire. Photograph: BBC / Mark Allan

Hackney Marshes is to play host to BBC Radio 1’s biggest ever free ticketed live music event, on Hackney Marshes on 23-24 June 2012, as part of the London 2012 Festival.

Presenters Trevor Nelson and Sara Cox broadcast a special show on Radio 1 and 1Xtra today from the Hackney Empire and the Olympic Park to mark the launch of the preparations for the festival. On stage at the Empire, Leona Lewis sang Let The Sun Shine, written by Hackney-born songwriter and producer, Labrinth.

Two big acts on the bill have already been announced: Leona Lewis and Plan B will be performing; they will also be acting as special ambassadors to champion the event. They join two other event ambassadors, 1Xtra’s Trevor Nelson and Olympian triple jumper Phillips Idowu, who were both born in Hackney.

Trevor Nelson with Leona Lewis, who sang two songs to an audience of 50 school students at the Hackney Empire today. Photograph: BBC / Mark Allan

Leona Lewis said: “To be a part of this event is so important to me. I’m so excited about the opportunities and the excitement that it will bring to the area. Radio 1 are going to put on the biggest show in their history and it’s happening in East London – I couldn’t be happier!’”

Trevor Nelson said: “I think you can tell how excited we all are. It’s the proudest thing I’ll ever be involved in to do with music. There’s a legacy attached to the Olympics, but I think there will be a legacy attached to this gig as well. I think the whole world will have their eyes on Hackney that weekend.”

Phillips Idowu said: “I’m proud to be from Hackney and it’s amazing for the borough to stage what is sure to be one of the biggest and best musical events in UK history. I have a big event to look forward to in 2012, so being selected as an ambassador for this event is massively exciting. I’m a big music fan so to have something like this taking place on Hackney Marshes is a great honour.”

Plan B, who was unable to attend the event, sent a message from the US: “It’s great to have a musical celebration in the area where the Olympics are being held and that it’s Radio 1 who are bringing it to East London. I’m very proud to be regarded as an ambassador for what will be a special event.”

Leona Lewis and Plan B will be joined by over 80 international and UK artists, bands and DJs making it the biggest multi-artist line up ever for Radio 1.

The event will feature six BBC stages, and 100,000 people will be able to attend. Organisers say the majority of the tickets will be allocated to people living in Hackney and surrounding boroughs.

BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend 2012 takes place in partnership with Hackney Council, and will be the highlight of the UK-wide London 2012 festival taking place between 21 June and 9 September, as the highlight of the Cultural Olympiad.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney said: “This is the biggest event Hackney will have ever hosted with world class musicians performing in our borough. This is an exciting opportunity for our residents to take part in the cultural side of the 2012 Games through the London 2012 Festival. Hackney is a young and creative borough and I’m pleased that the close partnership between the BBC and the Council means there will be chances for local people to get involved through volunteering and activities at schools and colleges.”

Further announcements about the event will be made over the coming months.

Related: Leona Lewis – interview