Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill and band are joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra strings
On the 20th anniversary of his Pop Idol win, Will Young performs 3 songs with the BBC Concert Orchestra, including Evergreen, All Time Love and a cover of Words by The Christians.
Richard Marx performs live at Maida Vale as he opens Radio 2's Piano Room Month for 2023.
Louise, former member of Eternal turned solo star, performs live with the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale. During the first stage of her music career in the 90s and 00s, Louise racked up 18 top 20 singles - six with Eternal and 12 as a solo artist. Her debut album Naked sold over a million copies and to date she has achieved over 15 million sales worldwide. Over the past 20 years, Louise has expanded her career to include acting and TV presenting before making a successful return to music with the release of her 2019 album Heavy Love. Her Greatest Hits album, with 30 tracks spanning 1993 to 2023, is due for release in June 2023. Her Piano Room set features all new versions of Eternal's Just a Step From Heaven, Justin Timberlake's Can't Stop the Feeling and her most recent single release Super Magic
Since first finding fame in the early 1980s as lead vocalist of The Go-Go's, Belinda would go on to even greater heights in her solo career with pop classics including I Get Weak, Circle in the Sand, Leave a Light On and Heaven is a Place on Earth. Her Piano Room set features all-new versions of Heaven is a Place on Earth, her cover of The Carpenters' Superstar and her latest release Big Big Love, composed by Diane Warren
One of Musical theatre's biggest stars, Radio 2's very own Michael Ball performs live alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale. In the 1980s and 90s, Michael became the leading West End performer of his generation, best known for his roles in Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Aspects of Love. Away from the theatre, Michael has also enjoyed a successful career as a solo artist, recording and touring extensively both in his own right and in partnership with Alfie Boe. Michael's Piano Room set features his breakthrough hit Love Changes Everything from Aspects Of Love, his own song Tennessee Dreams, and Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill's I Just Can't Help Believing, one of Elvis Presley's all-time classics.
Sugababes Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhán Donaghy perform live with the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale. One of the most successful girl groups of the 21st century, Sugababes enjoyed a '00s run of six number one singles and two chart-topping albums. After a number of line-up changes the original members were reunited in 2012, but it has only been over the past year that their comeback could finally gather pace after a number of long-standing legal issues were resolved.
Double BRIT Award winner Ellie Goulding joins Ken Bruce and the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale. Ellie first came to widespread public attention in 2010, winning the BBC Sound Of vote and the BRIT Critics' Choice Award in the same year. Since then she's established herself as one of the UK's biggest pop exports, with huge international hits including On My Mind, Your Song, Burn and How Long Will I Love You.
Tom Chaplin joins us in the Radio 2 Piano Room. He performs the Keane hit "Somewhere Only We Know', his new song 'Overshoot' and a cover of 'Anti-Hero' by Taylor Swift, all recorded live with the BBC Concert Orchestra from the BBC's one and only Maida Vale Studios.
RAYE performs her classic 'Love Me Again', new song 'Oscar Winning Tears' and a cover of Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine' at the legendary Maida Vale Studios.
Suzanne Vega performs a cover of the classic Blondie track 'Dreaming', as well her own classic 'Tom's Diner' and her new track 'Last Train From Mariupol' in Radio2's Piano Room. All songs were recorded live from the BBC's historic Maida Vale Studios with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Lemar performs his classic 'Dance (With U)', new song 'Future Love' and a cover of Michael Kiwanuka's 'Cold Little Heart' at the legendary Maida Vale Studios.
Freya Ridings performs her classic ‘Lost Without You’, new song ‘Weekends’ and a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s ‘True Colors’ at the legendary Maida Vale Studios.
Simply Red perform their brand new single 'Better With You', classic track 'You Make Me Feel Brand New' and a Paul McCartney cover at the BBC 's legendary Maida Vale Studios.
Haircut 100 perform their classics ‘Love Plus One’ and 'Fantastic Day’ and a cover of Harry Styles' ‘As It Was’ at the legendary Maida Vale Studios.
Lady Blackbird performs a cover of Nina Simone's classic I Put A Spell On You, her singles Feel It Comin and Woman with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Recorded live from the BBC's legendary Maida Vale Studios for Radio 2's Piano Room Month
Jessie Ware performs her classic ‘Free Yourself’, new song ‘Pearls’ and a cover of Cher’s ‘Believe’ at the legendary Maida Vale Studios.
Suede perform their classic ‘She’s in Fashion’, new song ‘The Only Way I Can Love You’ and a cover of Patti Smith's ‘Because the Night’ at the legendary Maida Vale Studios.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor performs her classic ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, new song ‘Breaking the Circle’ and a cover of Madonna's ‘Open Your Heart’ at the legendary Maida Vale Studios.
Jake Shears performs a Scissor Sisters classic, new single 'Too Much Music' and a very special cover with Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys at the legendary Maida Vale studios.
Stormzy rounds off Radio 2's Piano Room with his classic 'Crown' new track 'Give It To The Water' ft. Debbie, and a cover of 'Get Here' made famous by Oleta Adams at the BBC's legendary Maida Vale Studios, featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra.
60 million albums sold, three Grammys, two Brits Awards... there can be only one P!NK, and she joins us for a very special Radio 2 Piano Room. Recorded live at the BBC's legendary Maida Vale Studios, she performs classics, tracks from her new album Trustfall, and four exclusive piano arrangements with the BBC Concert Orchestra. What About Us, Try and Just Like A Pill are all there as well as a cover of Nothing Compares 2 U, made famous by Sinéad O'Connor, and a chat with Radio 2's very own Jo Whiley. Sit back, relax and enjoy a night with genuine pop royalty.
The BBC Concert Orchestra play the theme from Steve Wright in the Afternoon
Radio 2’s Piano Room returns with 80s classic 'The Way It Is' singer-songwriter and pianist Bruce Hornsby, performing live from Maida Vale studio, alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra. Bruce performs a beautiful new arrangement of 'The Way It Is', which has been used by everyone from 2Pac to BBC sports show Grandstand, plus a cover of Don Henley's 'The End of the Innocence' and brand new song 'Cast-Off'.
Joining us live in Radio 2’s Piano Room is the Queen of British Soul who has wowed us with her powerful voice across 3 decades, bringing us pop, gospel, R’n’B and soul, and today taking on a Radiohead cover. Live from the iconic BBC Maida Vale studios it is of course Beverley knight alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra.
The Libertines are back with their first album in 9 years and grace Radio 2’s Piano Room with an iconic x3 track performance, including an amazing cover of ‘Along Again Or’ by Love, all from BBC Maida Vale. As always the indie-rock and rollers give us a special collaboration of their signature sound alongside the orchestral power of the BBC Concert Orchestra, and are joined by none other than Ed Harcourt on piano.
Soul legend PP Arnold performs three spine tingling songs in Radio 2’s Piano Room alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra. Bringing Maida Vale to life with that iconic voice, PP performs her absolute classic ‘First Cut is the Deepest’, her newer single ‘Soul Survivor’ and an amazing cover of Miley Cyrus’s ‘Flowers'
The latest star to perform in the BBC Piano Room 2024 has proved us all that dreams CAN come true, it’s of course, Gabrielle. The soulful singer is performing alongside the wonderful BBC Concert Orchestra and will perform x3 tracks, including the classic ‘Out Of Reach’ and a magical Lionel Richie cover.
Joining us today for Radio 2's Piano Room Month, alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, is the iconic voice of Tony Hadley. Yes it's 'TRUE', Tony will be performing x3 tracks from BBC Maida Vale studios including an epic cover of Lana Del Rey's, 'Young and Beautiful'.
Triple Brit Award nominee and BBC Introducing Artist of the Year 2023 Olivia Dean joins us to play Radio 2’s Piano Room Month 2024, performing 3 tracks alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, including a beautifully heart-stopping cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Suzanne’, and her own songs ‘Dive’ and ‘Dangerously Easy’.
Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr electrifies the Radio 2 Piano Room, playing a cover of Iggy Pop’s ‘Passenger’, as well as brand new takes of his own songs ‘Easy Money’ and ‘Somewhere, performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale Studios. Vernon Kay also talks to Johnny about his solo career, memories of his days in The Smiths, and advice from Sir Paul McCartney.
All Saints' Shaznay Lewis brings us a sublime solo performance in the Radio 2 Piano Room, featuring 3 songs with the BBC Concert Orchestra, including a sweeping version of ‘Pure Shores’, her new song ‘Kiss Of Life’, and a cover version of No Doubt’s ‘Don’t Speak’. Vernon Kay also takes Shaznay back to memories of ‘Pure Shores’ being part of the Leonardo DiCaprio film ‘The Beach’, memories of All Saints, and her life as a songwriter over the past 25 years.
Rick Astley plays the Piano Room, including a cover of Olivia Rodrigo
It’s the Radio 2 Piano Room and joining the BBC Concert Orchestra live from Maida Vale are Glaswegian guitar superstars Texas. Sharlene’s soaring vocals kick us off with a stripped back version of their classic hit, ‘Halo’ and an unmissable cover of Charles and Eddie’s, ‘Would I lie To You’.
From Maryland to Maida Vale, joining us in the Piano Room today is the incredible soulful voice of Jalen Ngonda. Jalen will performs three tracks, including a cover from The Beach Boys, all alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra blending his classic and contemporary sound to treat us all to this magnificent performance.
A Valentines Day Special with Lisa Stansfield today in the Radio 2 Piano Room. Lisa is performing three tracks live from Maida Vale alongside the fabulous BBC Concert Orchestra, and brings an extra element of love into the Lou Rawls cover of ‘You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine’.
Neil Finn & Nick Seymour bring Crowded House to the Radio 2 Piano Room with orchestral arrangements of their classic song ‘Four Seasons In One Day’, the new track ‘Oh Hi’ and a cover of ‘Downtown’ originally by Petula Clark. The band are joined by The BBC Concert Orchestra and chat with Vernon Kay about being the group who have clocked up the most miles to get to BBC Maida Vale studios from New Zealand, as well some reminiscing about their early years alongside Tim Finn, and the change in the dynamic today.
Jess Glynn brings us a feel-good performance of 3 songs to the Radio 2 Piano Room, with her band and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Songs include an exhilarating cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Everywhere’, her classic hit ‘Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself’ and new track ‘Enough’ from her first album in 6 years, with today’s orchestral arrangements by Sarah Freestone. Vernon Kay chats with Jess about her breakthrough collaboration with Clean Bandit, her songs being an earworm for summer holidays, plus her surprise most hated piece of fruit... you’ll have to watch to find out.
British Superstar, Paloma Faith and that unmistakable voice joins the BBC Concert Orchestra in the Radio 2 Piano Room, live from the iconic Maida Vale studios. Paloma will be performing x3 tracks including a sublime cover of Tracy Chapman’s Talkin' Bout a Revolution.
Joining us for Radio 2’s Piano Room Month today is Australian Pop Royalty Delta Goodrum, alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra. Delta is the highest-selling female artist in Australian History and performs in the magical BBC Maida Vale studios for the first time today. Collaborating on her cover of Take That’s ‘Rule the World’ is of course, the inestimable Gary Barlow.
Gracing the Piano Room stage today, with over 3 decades in the music business and not a stranger to the historic Maida Vale studios, it’s the hugely talented Elbow, performing alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra. Guy and his band will perform 3 tracks including an emotional tribute of ‘We Have All the Time in the World’ to his late mother-in-law, Diana Rigg.
Rod Stewart joins up with Jools Holland, including their cover of a Billie Holiday track
Closing Radio 2's Piano Room Month 2024 are one the most iconic duo’s in pop music - it’s the incredible Pet Shop Boys. Neil and Chris will be performing a special set alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, with a quintessential Pet Shop Boys take on a cover of ‘All The Dudes’, plus their classic 'Left To My Own Devices' and new track 'Loneliness'.
Live performances from much-loved music stars, alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios.
US Superstar Anastacia brings that powerful voice to Radio 2’s Piano Room, including orchestral takes on her classic 'Left Outside Alone' and Whitesnake's 'Here I Go Again'.
Alison Moyet performs live at Maida Vale with a set featuring All Cried Out, Such Small Ale and her take on David Bowie's Absolute Beginners.
The Radio 2 Piano Room welcomes an absolute icon and one of the most highly acclaimed artists from the British music scene, it’s Marc Almond performing x3 tracks alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, including a mesmerising cover of Lana Del Rey’s, Summertime Sadness.
Rag'n'Bone Man brings his soulful touch to the Radio 2 Piano Room, accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. He has graced the charts across the last decade with his powerful voice and signature stage presence, and has picked up two BRIT Awards along the way. From the legendary Maida Vale studio he brings us classic "Skin", brand new track "Put A Little Hurt On Me" and a nostalgic nineties cover of "Genie In A Bottle" by Christina Aguilera.