Stripped Down Set and Opportunity to Record New Originals
Press Release | The Independent | November 2, 2023
The Independent and Independent TV today announce the ninth series of Music Box. Hosted by music editor Roisin O’Connor, Music Box brings the latest up and comers – along with some of music’s biggest names – into the Music Box studio to play exclusive stripped-down sets.
Music Box is now returning better than ever, with a mix of major names and exciting new talent invited to record two original songs. Guests for this series will include Golden Globe-winning actor and musician Damian Lewis, and Brit Award-winning, Platinum-selling artist Emeli Sande. Other acts to look out for include rising indie band English Teacher, soul artist MEGA, pop-rock group Only the Poets, and rapper/singer Jelani Blackman.
The new season will launch on Monday 6 November, with a new artist session airing each week until January 2024. Damian’s session will air in December. It was filmed at The Independent’s in-house Independent TV studio in Finsbury Square, London. Damian recently sat down with the Independent’s editor-in-chief Geordie Greig on the set of filming his session on Music Box, and you can watch that video interview here. View photostills in our Gallery here.
Viewers will be able to watch it online at the Independent TV hub (independent.tv), on The Independent’s new smart TV app, and on The Independent’s mobile app. The Independent TV app is available globally on a number of smart TV (‘CTV’ – connected TV) platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and Sony smart TVs. In the coming weeks, LG, Samsung and Roku will be added.
Launched in 2017, Music Box is a one-of-a-kind platform for emerging artists. The idea came from Roisin’s desire to help support musicians in an increasingly tough and competitive industry. The sessions give acts an opportunity to be featured prominently on The Independent’s platforms, exposing them to millions of potential new listeners.
Acts invited to perform in the sessions play three stripped-down original songs, demonstrating the raw artistry of the lyrics and compositions. Among the musicians to have starred in Music Box to date are Grammy-nominated Scottish sensation Lewis Capaldi, rapper Ms Banks, pop band Bastille, jazz musician Jamie Cullum, singer-songwriter Tom Grennan, and grime pioneer Ghetts,
The Independent’s music editor Roisin O’Connor said: “Getting to watch Music Box get bigger and better with each season has been one of the highlights of my career. It’s a joy to be able to host so many incredible, talented artists, and see just what they can do in this unique stripped-down setting.â€
Source: The Independent