The BBC Asian Network today announces its biggest Summer of Melas programme, starting with the Preston Mela on the Sunday 6 June fronted by Tommy Sandhu. Descending on more Melas than ever before, the station visits 13 towns and cities, from the North-West, North-East, the Midlands, Wales and Scotland and finishes at the London Mela on the Sunday 8 August. BBC Asian Network presenters Tommy Sandhu, Sonia Deol, Noreen Khan and Murtz will front the station’s activity and throughout the whole of the Summer of Melas programme, listeners can enjoy performances from the biggest names in Asian music, international artists and new British-Asian talent. In the week leading up to each event the station is also set to take some of its programmes to the location of the Mela, to broadcast from the heart of its community.

For the first time ever, at the Bradford (12/13 June), Leicester (18 July), Manchester (24/25 July) and London (8 August) Melas, the station is offering invaluable workshops for students and emerging DJ’s and journalists. DJ Kayper, PHS and Asian Network Reports journalists are all present at the Melas, offering advice and tips for Asians wanting to get into the industry.

Mark Strippel, Head of Music and Events, BBC Asian Network, says: “BBC Asian Network places real importance in connecting with the roots of the British-Asian audience. I'm thrilled that this year we’re able to announce a stronger and bigger Mela campaign than ever before, with 13 local partnerships and activity in 10 locations across the UK, including Manchester, Bradford, London, Leicester, Cardiff and Glasgow. We'll be bringing a multi-platform broadcast treatment to each of the events, including live broadcasts from the heart of each community.”

The station’s biggest activity comes at the end of the Season at the London Mela on Sunday 8 August, where its eight hour live broadcast is complemented by a live web-stream. Hosting the main stage, the station also offers a multitude of other activities for visitors to enjoy.

Highlights and all the latest pictures and videos of your favourite artists and presenters will be available on the BBC Asian Network website throughout the summer (www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork). Following the success of last years 'Mela Music' Red Button programmes, which attracted an audience of 810K, viewers are able to watch performances from across this year's events on a special Red Button programme from Monday 16th August for 7 days.

From showcasing great acts, to broadcasting key highlights, to filming, photo galleries and much more, the BBC Asian Network brings its listeners the best coverage of all the Melas it is visiting this summer.

Full Mela Details –

6 June          Preston Mela

12/13 June      Bradford Mela

20 June         Glasgow Mela

27 June         Oldham Mela

3/4 July                Rochdale Mela

18 July                 Leicester Belgrave Mela / Nottingham Mela

24/25 July      Manchester Mega Mela

1 August        East London Mela / Leeds Mela

8 August        London Mela / Cardiff Mela

For more information and on the BBC Asian Network’s Summer of Melas, please visit – www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork