BBC: We want to leave 2012 legacy

Unveiling its programme for the Cultural Olympiad, the BBC said its Hackney Live event would showcase unsigned east London talent and act as a centrepiece to broader involvement in the community.

Event director for Radio One Jason Carter, pictured, told The Wharf: "We've done a lot of consultation with our audience in east London and there's a sense of real cynicism about 2012.

"So we thought this would be an amazing opportunity to drop in something that really connects with a group of young people who may be under-represented.

"It comes hand in hand with the work we do in the run-in to Hackney Live. When we've spoken to young people there's a sense that things come into their town and then disappear so we're not taking the legacy side of it lightly."

He unveiled a three-prong approach in addition to the June 21-22 concert itself - free for 100,000 people in east London.

The strands include an academy, a fringe festival to develop local talent and an outlet for young people to showcase their creativity by decorating the sites themselves.

Of the academy he said: "There will be about four or five studio and conference spaces and we will be programming a whole range of sessions across a disciplines from music to arts to business."

He said headline acts and DJs would drop in. "It will be a place where young people can see what opportunities are available to them because we're getting a sense of they're not completely aware of what's out there.

"We don't want to make it about things that are distant - this is real practical advice."

Roger Mosey, head of the BBC's 2012 output revealed that Tinie Tempah and Florence and the Machine had been added to the Hackney line-up.

Mr Mosey told The Wharf: "You can have a legacy of people learning new skills - media skills, business skills - and also going to a free festival."