Is the world ready for The Velveteens? An all-girl punk band try to make it to the top

Get your crimper out, your mohawk ready and your best punk pout on—the Queens of Noise have arrived! Set in 1980s London, this modern music drama charts the rise of a girl punk band. Packed with classic hits as well as the girls very own songs, this is a drama with punk power for any music lover. Writers and music industry veterans Louise Wener (ex-singer of Sleeper) and Roy Boulter (drummer with The Farm) bring their wealth of experience to this story of a young band chasing their dream and getting their big break.

In Shout to the Top it’s 1988, we meet the girls fizzing with energy and potential, starting out in London. We discover how they went from ‘young women with a dream’ to the formation of The Velveteens, to first gig; from first demo to (hopefully) first record deal.
In series one, Get It On the story follows the three ambitious young women, Sylvie, Beth and Rain, and their unique band, The Velveteens, take on the world. Armed with loud guitars, attitude to burn, and a makeshift manager, the band is on the verge of signing to a major record company. However, they still only have pennies in their pockets. Can they take their first faltering steps into the music industry to become a powerful punk musical force? Can they make it in the days before the digital revolution changed the business forever?

In the second series, Rip It Up, the music drama continues as the girls conquer America. The three bold band members embark on a roller-coaster ride on the road to who-knows-where, and calling the shots is their new manager, Sam Shephurst. Can he take them to champagne heights or are they on the road to Top of the Flops…?

Actor, singer and comedian Shane Richie (EastEnders) stars as the band's temporary manager, Vince. This brilliant drama was commissioned by BBC Radio 2’s Head of Music and is packed with industry insight from the experts. Music production for this listening treat was taken care of by producers Brian Rawling (Bowie, Kylie, Cher, Craig David, One Direction and more) and Marky Bates (Faithless, Dido). This is a must-listen for any music fans.

Credits
Written by Roy Boulter and Louise Wener
Pilot Episode - Shout To The Top
Vince - Shane Richie
Beth - Fiona Macrae
Sylvie - Samantha Robinson
Rain - Hannah Arterton
Maggie - Liza Sadovy
Russ - Ben Crowe
David - Adam Nagaitis
Journalist - Joe Sims
Directed by Toby Swift
Music Directors Brian Rawling and Marky Bates
First Broadcast BBC Radio 2, 25th September 2012
Series 1 - Queens of Noise: Get It On
Beth - Annika Rose
Sylvie - Samantha Robinson
Rain - Hannah Arterton
Maggie - Liza Sadovy
Vince - Ben Crowe
David - Adam Nagaitis
Journalist - Joe Sims
Christy - Clare Corbett
Alec - Damian Lynch
Richard - Matthew Watson
Joyce/Stylist - Jane Slavin
Lucas/Shop Assistant - Mark Edel-Hunt
Sam - Joe Absolom
Mike - Michael Bertenshaw
Directed by Toby Swift
Music Directors Brian Rawling and Marky Bates
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28th July - 1st August 2014
Series 2 - Queens of Noise: Rip It Up
Beth - Fiona Macrae
Sylvie - Samantha Robinson
Rain - Hannah Arterton
Sam - Joe Absolom
Joyce - Janes Slavin
Journalist/Mavis - Elaine Claxton
TJ - Clive Hayward
Christy - Clare Corbett
US cop - Damian Lynch
Mono - Harry Myers
Richard/Digby - Matthew Watson
Directed by Toby Swift
Music Directors Brian Rawling and Marky Bates
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15th September - 19th September 2014

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