Queens of Noise

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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