Photo Credit: England and Wales Cricket Board
After a year of cancelled live music festivals and gigs, The Hundred guarantees live performances at each of its 68 games courtesy of BBC Music Introducing.
- Live music artists performing at every game
- DJs embedded in each of the eight city-based teams
- Hosts from the world of entertainment announced for each team
The Hundred – a new 100-ball cricket competition – today announces an unprecedented collaboration with BBC Music Introducing to bring live music back to England and Wales. The partnership will see sport and entertainment collide on a scale never seen before as world-class cricket and a strong line-up of live music fuse to create one of the must-see events of the summer.
Music artists have had the majority of their planned performances cancelled in the past year and The Hundred poses a new opportunity for them to get back out in front of fans this summer. Fresh talent that has come through the regional BBC Music Introducing platforms including The Orielles, Jerub, Lady Sanity, Oscar Welsh, Coach Party and Rachel K Collier will be performing at their respective local ground with more acts to be announced in the build up to the competition. Thanks to broadcast partnerships with BBC and Sky, performances will be enjoyed by fans at home as well as those in the grounds.
Lady Sanity, who will be performing at Edgbaston at a Birmingham Phoenix game, says, “I’m excited to finally be on a stage! Especially in Birmingham! I can’t wait to perform at The Hundred and get back to live audiences. It’s great to see a competition that puts women on the same platform as men – I’m all for that! I get really competitive too, so I’ll definitely be cheering on Birmingham Phoenix this summer.”
The Orielles who will be performing at Emirates Old Trafford at a Manchester Originals game say, “It’s been far too long since we were last on stage together. We can’t wait to hit the stage at Emirates Old Trafford and watch Manchester Originals smash it all summer.”
Further cementing the music credentials of The Hundred, a local BBC Music Introducing DJ will be embedded into each of the eight new teams, each curating a unique soundtrack, reflective of their city and the people, players and artists within it. The music on offer at each game is designed to bring fans right into the action and will all be live. From walk out music, to game reaction sounds, the venue DJs are in full control of the sound of their team.
The confirmed DJs are:
- Bodalia @ Birmingham Phoenix
- Jess Iszatt @ London Spirit
- Roesh @ Manchester Originals
- Emily Pilbeam @ Northern Superchargers
- Abbie McCarthy @ Oval Invincibles
- Steph Nieuwenhuys @ Southern Brave
- Charlie Burley @ Trent Rockets
- GRLTLK @ Welsh Fire
London Spirit DJ Jess Iszatt says, “This time just over a year ago, I was already looking forward to being a part of The Hundred, but it is safe to say I am even more buzzing to be a part of a huge major event coming back this summer, like coming out of a cold dark winter hibernation! We all know that both sport and music are key in helping maintain mental and physical well-being, and during the pandemic, both the sporting and music world have been halted. I can’t wait to be playing great new music that I have discovered over the past year, whilst cheering on London Spirit!”
Oval Invincibles bowler, Saqib Mahmood says, “Dancing again by Timo ODV has got to be on our playlist, such a great track! London is always on the go so any soundtrack to the city is bound to be epic and with it being the backdrop to The Hundred, it’s going to be all energy, all summer. Music has a massive impact on my mood and can really motivate me ahead of a game so bring it on.”
The line-up of music talent comes as part of The Hundred’s ambition to throw cricket’s doors open to new audiences this summer, welcoming in families and inspiring the next generation to say that cricket is a game for them.
The same commitment led to the launch of The Hundred Rising: a programme of opportunities for 100 people across England and Wales to get involved in producing the competition. The opportunities included the chance for eight budding presenters to co-host at venues alongside seasoned pros throughout the summer. The Rising Hosts will be selected ahead of competition launch and they’ll join the lead Host for each team:
- Qasá Alom @ Birmingham Phoenix
- Emma Saunders @ London Spirit
- Yasser @ Manchester Originals
- Rich Williams @ Northern Superchargers
- Nick Bright @ Oval Invincibles
- Kenzie Benali @ Southern Brave
- Jasmine Takhar @ Trent Rockets
- Steffan Powell @ Welsh Fire
Northern Superchargers host Rich Williams says, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of The Hundred! It’s going to be an amazing summer competition and if you’ve got tickets to see the Northern Superchargers, you’re guaranteed lots of excitement from a great team, and lots of entertainment alongside the cricket.”
Sanjay Patel, The Hundred Managing Director says, “In collaboration with BBC Music Introducing, we are curating a real festival line-up to deliver a ground-breaking music programme that is integrated into a world-class sporting event, unlike anything that has been delivered before.
“Each of the acts, DJs and Hosts we’ve announced embody the spirit of The Hundred in their own way and they’ll be bringing the energy all summer long. With fast-paced cricket on the pitch and live music performances off it, we’re delivering on our promise to provide entertainment for the whole family.”
The Hundred promises a summer of unforgettable sport and epic entertainment to enjoy with friends and family. Tickets are great value for money: £5 for under 16s with adult tickets starting at £10, under-fives go free. Aside from the first two games on July 21 and 22, tickets give you the chance to see a women’s and men’s game. Refund policies will be in place should matches be affected by Covid.
To get access to tickets, access team merchandise and get the latest news for The Hundred, click here.
The Hundred Games and Performances
| DATE | GAME | LOCATION | ARTIST |
| Fri 23 July | Birmingham Phoenix vs. London Spirit | Edgbaston, Birmingham | Lady Sanity |
| Mon 26 July | Trent Rockets vs. Northern Superchargers | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | Jerub |
| Weds 28 July | Manchester Originals vs. Northern Superchargers | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester | The Orielles |
| Mon 2Aug | Oval Invincibles vs. Welsh Fire | Kia Oval, London | Oscar Welsh |
| Mon 16 Aug | Southern Brave vs. Oval Invincibles | Ageas Bowl, Southampton | Coach Party |
| Weds 18Aug | Welsh Fire vs. London Spirit | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | Rachel K Collier |
Name of Author: ECB
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body for cricket in England and Wales, formed on January 1, 1997. It combines roles from the Test and County Cricket Board, National Cricket Association, and Cricket Council, and integrated the Women’s Cricket Association in 1998. Based at Lord’s Cricket Ground, the ECB oversees all levels of cricket, including national teams for men, women, and various disability categories.
