The Hundred – a new 100-ball cricket competition – today announces an unprecedented collaboration with BBC Music Introducing to bring live music back to England and Wales. The partnership will see sport and entertainment collide on a scale never seen before as world-class cricket and a strong line-up of live music fuse to create one of the must-see events of the summer.
Music artists have had the majority of their planned performances cancelled in the past year and The Hundred poses a new opportunity for them to get back out in front of fans this summer. Fresh talent that has come through the regional BBC Music Introducing platforms including The Orielles, Jerub, Lady Sanity, Oscar Welsh, Coach Party and Rachel K Collier will be performing at their respective local ground with more acts to be announced in the build-up to the competition. Thanks to broadcast partnerships with BBC and Sky, performances will be enjoyed by fans at home as well as those in the grounds.
Lady Sanity, who will be performing at Edgbaston at a Birmingham Phoenix game, says, “I’m excited to finally be on a stage! Especially in Birmingham! I can’t wait to perform at The Hundred and get back to live audiences. It’s great to see a competition that puts women on the same platform as men – I’m all for that! I get really competitive too, so I’ll definitely be cheering on Birmingham Phoenix this summer.”
The Orielles who will be performing at Emirates Old Trafford at a Manchester Originals game say, “It’s been far too long since we were last on stage together. We can’t wait to hit the stage at Emirates Old Trafford and watch Manchester Originals smash it all summer.”
Further cementing the music credentials of The Hundred, a local BBC Music Introducing DJ will be embedded into each of the eight new teams, each curating a unique soundtrack, reflective of their city and the people, players and artists within it. The music on offer at each game is designed to bring fans right into the action and will all be live. From walk out music, to game reaction sounds, the venue DJs are in full control of the sound of their team.
The confirmed DJs are:
Bodalia @ Birmingham Phoenix
Jess Iszatt @ London Spirit
Roesh @ Manchester Originals
Emily Pilbeam @ Northern Superchargers
Abbie McCarthy @ Oval Invincibles
Steph Nieuwenhuys @ Southern Brave
Charlie Burley @ Trent Rockets
GRLTLK @ Welsh Fire
London Spirit DJ Jess Iszatt says, “This time just over a year ago, I was already looking forward to being a part of The Hundred, but it is safe to say I am even more buzzing to be a part of a huge major event coming back this summer, like coming out of a cold dark winter hibernation! We all know that both sport and music are key in helping maintain mental and physical well-being, and during the pandemic, both the sporting and music world have been halted. I can’t wait to be playing great new music that I have discovered over the past year, whilst cheering on London Spirit!”
The line-up of music talent comes as part of The Hundred’s ambition to throw cricket’s doors open to new audiences this summer, welcoming in families and inspiring the next generation to say that cricket is a game for them.
Oval Invincibles bowler, Saqib Mahmood says, ”Dancing again by Timo ODV has got to be on our playlist, such a great track! London is always on the go so any soundtrack to the city is bound to be epic and with it being the backdrop to The Hundred, it’s going to be all energy, all summer. Music has a massive impact on my mood and can really motivate me ahead of a game so bring it on.”
The same commitment led to the launch of The Hundred Rising: a programme of opportunities for 100 people across England and Wales to get involved in producing the competition. The opportunities included the chance for eight budding presenters to co-host at venues alongside seasoned pros throughout the summer. The Rising Hosts will be selected ahead of competition launch and they’ll join the lead Host for each team:
Qasá Alom @ Birmingham Phoenix
Emma Saunders @ London Spirit
Yasser @ Manchester Originals
Rich Williams @ Northern Superchargers
Nick Bright @ Oval Invincibles
Kenzie Benali @ Southern Brave
Jasmine Takhar @ Trent Rockets
Steffan Powell @ Welsh Fire
Northern Superchargers host Rich Williams says, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of The Hundred! It’s going to be an amazing summer competition and if you’ve got tickets to see the Northern Superchargers, you’re guaranteed lots of excitement from a great team, and lots of entertainment alongside the cricket.”
