Radio 1's Big Weekend Comes to Kent

Radio 1 has announced that this year's Big Weekend is taking place at Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent on 10 and 11 May 2008. Scouting For Girls, who recently hit Number One with their self-titled debut album, have been unveiled as the first act confirmed for the bill.

It's also been announced that a fourth stage will be added this year - the BBC Introducing Stage - which will feature the best new and emerging UK talent selected from new music shows across the BBC.

Hosted by Radio 1's roster of DJs, Radio 1's Big Weekend is the eighth of its kind hosted by the station and the UK's biggest free ticketed music festival. The site can hold 20,000 people per day and Radio 1 will be making sure the majority of free tickets go to residents of Maidstone and the surrounding Kent area.

To ensure a fair distribution of tickets in the region, Radio 1 will ask listeners to register their details and then select by random based on postcode.

Over the coming months, www.bbc.co.uk/radio1 will have the full line-up, details on how to register for free tickets and answers to frequently asked questions.

Last year's Big Weekend was held in Preston and saw live performances from the likes of the Scissor Sisters, Kaiser Chiefs, Kasabian, Mark Ronson, Mika and Stereophonics.