Youth Beatz reveals Alexandra Burke as 2012 headline act for 15th September
Written by author on May 30, 2012
Organisers of Youth Beatz announced that UK chart star ALEXANDRA BURKE will headline this year’s event. Thousands of young people are expected to flock to Dock Park, Dumfries on Saturday 15 September to attend Scotland’s largest free youth/music event.
Having kept the headline act’s identity a close secret, young people have been eagerly anticipating this announcement, guessing and debating on online platforms like Facebook.
Since emerging as victor of the X Factor in 2008, Alexandra’s career has gone supernova. Her debut single ‘Hallelujah’, became the Christmas No.1 and the fastest selling single by a female artist in UK chart history. Her second single ‘Bad Boys’ shot straight to No.1 in the UK and sold over 750,000 copies, quickly followed by a double platinum No.1 debut album ‘Overcome’, that has to date sold over 2 million copies worldwide. A further three hit singles followed including the No.1 ‘Start Without You’. Alexandra won Best Newcomer at the Glamour Woman of the Year Awards and picked up Ultimate Pop Star at the Cosmopolitan Awards.
2011 saw Alexandra became the first X Factor star to have a judging panel role during auditions for the BBC’s So You Think You Can Dance, and she appeared as a replacement judge for Kelly Rowland on the 2011 series of The X Factor. She’s sold over 4 million records, had three UK No.1 singles, 49 million views on YouTube and performed to sell-out crowds across the country on her debut 2011 tour. Now, Alexandra returns with a brand new single ‘Let it go’, released this week, and new album ‘Heartbreak on Hold’ due for release on 4 June.
Alexandra said; “I’m so excited to be headlining Youth Beatz; I’ve heard great things about the amazing atmosphere and can’t wait to experience it for myself.”
Created in partnership with, and at the request of young people, Youth Beatz 2011 attracted a capacity audience of 12,000 people.
Nithsdale Area Committee contributed towards the cost of Youth Beatz. Chair of the Committee, Councillor Gill Dykes, said, “Nithsdale Area Committee felt it was important to support this interactive event for young people aged 12-25 years. As well as having fun and enjoying performances from major music artists, they can take part and be better informed about relevant issues, services and opportunities. Youth Beatz 2012 has been designed to encourage civic pride and encourage young people to be fully involved in their community. I am delighted at the line up so far and congratulate the staff and young people on all their efforts.”
A young person from the team involved in organising the event said; “We are delighted to have secured Alexandra Burke as our headline act this year, we can’t believe how far the event has come in such a short space of time. Youth Beatz is a great chance for young people to come together and create something really special.”
The event will also feature the amazing Wonderland Experience, an immersive and interactive learning journey that raises awareness of issues affecting the lives of young people. Other attractions include a high profile daytime guest appearance, activity-based entertainment, family attractions, youth services information, local musicians and community groups.
Now in its fourth year, the award winning event is managed through a partnership led by our Council and is part funded by Nithsdale Area Committee. Funding for the event has been secured from Young Start Lottery Fund alongside main sponsors Stagecoach and Magnox.
Organisers have promised that more acts will be announced in the coming weeks. Youth Beatz 2012 remains free to enter, although tickets will be required and can be obtained from www.youthbeatz.co.uk
