Iconic brand returns to the airwaves

Virgin Radio in the UK has made history becoming the first ever national radio station to launch live from a moving train – a Virgin Train – including live performances from some of the UK’s leading bands; Travis, Mystery Jets, Walking On Cars, Gavin James and The Feeling.
 
Spectators gathered at Manchester Piccadilly as Virgin Radio’s breakfast and drivetime presenters, Edith Bowman and Matt Richardson, unveiled the newly named Virgin Radio Star, alongside Sam Branson, founder of Sundog Pictures.
 
As the train departed the station, Edith and Matt kicked off the new station’s first ever broadcast. The train then journeyed through the UK, via Crewe, Birmingham and Rugby, with the bands performing a range of hits both current and present, and with a selection of full band and acoustic performances.
 
Sam Branson, speaking on board the Virgin Radio Star said: “Being part of the live launch of Virgin Radio has been an awesome experience. It’s not often that you get to hear such great music in such an intimate space… let alone on a moving train!”

Fran Healy, lead singer of Travis, said: “We are thrilled to be asked to be the conductors on Virgin Radio’s first broadcast. Anyone without a ticket is OFF… unless they Sing!”
On arrival into London, guests were taken to the new Virgin Radio studio, where Reef performed a final live show in the building’s brand new performance space, ‘The Red Room’.

 
Speaking after the day’s festivities, Edith Bowman said: “What an exhilarating experience! To be part of the launch of one of radio’s most iconic brands is exciting anyway, but to do it with such a bang has been sensational. Virgin Radio has started as it means to go on, playing fantastic music, doing things that seem like they can’t be done, but which sound great on air and make the listener experience completely unique.”

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