BBC CELEBRATES INDEPENDENTS DAY

BBC Radio 1 is celebrating independent record labels on 7/4, while you yanks celebrate a different kind of Independence Day all together.

A 10-hour celebration of the independent music sector will take place on the Beeb’s airwaves Monday, running 6pm to 4am. The station will solely play music from artists signed to independent record labels; interviews with artists and label representatives will take place throughout. At 9pm, presenter Huw Stephens will host a 60-minute musical tour of the most influential independent record labels of all time.

The move is part of Radio 1’s commitment to support new British music and emerging artists—something they’ve been asked to do by the Government as part of the BBC’s next decade of its Royal Charter.

New playlist boss Chris Price, Head of Music, Radio 1 and 1Xtra, said: "The U.K.'s independent label community is one of the most vibrant in the world. We want to celebrate the part it plays in making Britain one of the most creative and respected music hubs on the planet.”

“Independent labels are a vital part of what we play on BBC Radio 1,” Stephens added. “They release incredible music, take risks on artists and nurture and support some artists who might not be given that support early on. Their success stories are huge, and we're super excited to highlight our constant support of the great work the independent labels do.”

As it stands today, the BBC Radio 1 playlist is fairly major label heavy. The A List is 69% major label releases, the B List 93% and C List 70%. Is this the first sign of those splits leveling out in future?