The Blackpool Illuminations switch on might be a month behind us – but some of the very best performances will feature in two MTV music specials.
They will be broadcast this weekend, Friday 15 and Saturday 16 October, on MTV Music and MTV UK before going out to an international audience later this year.
The first of the 30-minute shows, MTV Live: KSI features the headline set by one of the UK’s biggest artists of 2021.
The second, MTV Live From Blackpool Switch-On, features performances by KSI, Ella Henderson, The Wombats and Wes Nelson.
Pre-COVID, the annual event, which is the curtain-raiser for the Illuminations season, has been staged in an outdoor arena on the promenade with a live audience of around 20,000 people.
This year, VisitBlackpool and MTV created a “hybrid” event including the show in the ballroom, attended by an audience of around 1,500 lucky ticket ballot winners, and a live stream. The stream attracted a worldwide audience of more than 160,000 views.
It is the first time in history that an Illuminations Switch-On – the biggest event in Blackpool’s calendar – has been staged in the ballroom, which has just reopened after a £1m makeover.
This year, the Switch-On was performed by Shirley Ballas, head judge of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
A VisitBlackpool spokesperson said: “We are thrilled that thanks to MTV people will get another opportunity to see the best of our Illuminations Switch-On concert as well as the full set by KSI.
“Being able to stage a Switch-On concert in the Tower Ballroom meant we had the opportunity to create something really special – and MTV delivered a show that will go down as a unique moment in the long and proud history of the Illuminations.”
Virginia Monaghan, Vice President, Events and Experiences, ViacomCBS Networks International added: “Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On is an unmissable event and we were thrilled to be partnering with VisitBlackpool for the Switch-On concert.
“We’re now looking forward to fans discovering the best moments from the event on our MTV Channels.”
These are the full details of this weekend’s broadcasts:
Friday 15th October: on MTV MUSIC
1800-1830: MTV Live: KSI
1830-1900: MTV Live from Blackpool Switch On
Saturday 16th October on MTV UK
1200-1230: MTV Live: KSI
1230-1300: MTV Live from Blackpool Switch On
This year’s Blackpool Illuminations have been extended by two months and will run until Monday 3 January, 2022.
To find out further details on this year’s display, including Switch-On times, Tower projection shows and new features, head to: https://www.visitblackpool.com/things-to-do/blackpool-illuminations/.
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