The Tube

LISTEN TO THE TUBE

The Tube, Britain’s most innovative and iconic music show, returns to Channel 4 on 3 November after a break of 19 years as a brand new radio show.
The monthly show will be back at 6pm on Fridays at www.channel4radio.com and presented by Blur legend Alex James, newcomer Emily Rose and Blue Peter’s Konnie Huq.
Alex James, Emily Rose and Konnie Huq will present The Tube in Manchester in front of a live studio audience, and will be supported by co-presenter Anthony H Wilson. The show, produced by UK 1 FM, will feature a mix of new and unsigned acts together with established big names. The first programme includes performances from Jamie-T, New Order, Metrodome & Jordan, Clinic, Camera Obscura, Eskiimo and Lee Griffiths, plus interviews with Paul Weller, REM’s Mike Mills and Tom Ravenscroft, and comedy from Christian Reilly, Seymour Mace, Peter Slater and Alfie Joey.
Alex James, 37, is the bassist in legendary British rock band Blur. He writes a weekly column for The Independent, is a contributing editor of Harper’s Bazaar and an award winning travel writer. Alex also writes for variety of publications, from Glamour to The New Statesman, and sits on the advisory board at the Rutherford Appleton laboratory, Europe’s largest space research facility.

Alex said:
“I'm very excited to be presenting the new Tube. I’m looking forward to being part of something unpredictable. The programme will be intelligent and funny, serious and irreverent. This is a completely new recipe for radio; mix a whole bucket of music show with a tablespoon of contemporary art, a teaspoon of rocket science and a pinch of bottom. Stand well back and listen for an hour.”
Emily Rose, 22, started her career on MTV's fly-on-the-wall documentary Hip Hop Candy. Emily has since presented for MTV Select and Canal+. As a model, Emily has worked for publications including New Woman, Glamour and Time Out. Already a familiar face on the hip-hop circuit, Emily has featured in music videos for talent such as Outkast, Fundamental and Mark Morrison.

Emily said:
“I’m absolutely over the moon about being one of the presenters on The Tube. Like the rest of the new team, I love the original show and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and making the The Tube iconic for a whole new generation of music lovers.”
Konnie Huq, 31, has been presenting Blue Peter since December 1997. She has also presented music programmes for the BBC including Top of the Pops and the UK Top 40, and worked at Q magazine.

Konnie said:
“The Tube is a cult classic, and it’s going to be interesting to hear how it works on the radio. Hopefully there will be loads of great new music discoveries, just as with the original show.”
Anthony Wilson, 56, has been at the centre of the Manchester music scene for over 30 years. Having founded the influential Factory Records music label in 1978, which featured names such as Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays and Durutti Column, Anthony went on to co-found the infamous Hacienda nightclub. With experience in journalism and broadcasting Anthony brings a wealth of expertise to The Tube line-up. Anthony is also the driving force behind the In The City new music festival held annually in Manchester.
Anthony said:
“Manchester has been pushing the boundaries of music for decades, and so it seems timely that The Tube, as a groundbreaking and unique show, should come to find its permanent and spiritual home in Manchester.”
Geoff Wonfor, original director of The Tube said:
“Paula and Jools were totally new to TV when they joined The Tube, their chemistry coupled with the energy and freshness they brought to the show created an unique broadcasting partnership. As newcomers to radio presenting I’m sure Alex, Konnie and Emily will be as dynamic for The Tube on Channel 4 Radio.”