BBC Introducing in Essex recalls its highlights of 2010

Mike Bromfield
BBC Introducing in Essex presenter

The Milk were one of over 40 bands to play at the Brownstock Festival

It has been a massive year for Essex across the board in 2010, even if you are not a fan of reality TV.

We have been on the winning end of X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing, but Essex has also seen some big unsigned music successes too.

Here are some of our favourite moments, and tracks of 2010, including gigs at Wembley Arena and Reading & Leeds festivals and countless sessions.

Stay tuned throughout 2011 for the best music in Essex with me and Ollie.

Top five moments of the year

Missing Andy on Sky One and in the charts

The boys first came on the show three years ago and it was great to see them getting the success they deserve by making it to the final of 'Must Be the Music' and playing Wembley Arena in September.

This led to top 40 chart success.

REDTRACK at Reading & Leeds festival

We put the Southend four piece forward to play the BBC Introducing stage in August and Radio One, in their infinite wisdom, put these guys on the bill.

REDTRACK played eight songs in their sets at Reading and Leeds

Brownstock Festival

The village of Stow Maries brought their very own V Festival to a local level with Brownstock 2010. It featured some huge up-and-coming UK acts plus over 40 other unsigned Essex bands.

T in the Park

I happened to be in Scotland for the 80,000 strong festival and broadcasting live on BBC Introducing in Essex from the festival site was one of the most surreal, but most exciting experiences.

Fridays at 7

Every week we go on air, play some tracks from amazing acts in our home county (we have been sent over 1400 of them this year).

From hosting gigs, going to festivals and just coming on air, unsigned Essex music makes it all worthwhile.

Top five tracks of the year

When we were asked to pick our top five tracks of 2010, it was a near impossible task, considering we have played over 600 tracks in 2010, but here are some of the ones that have stood out.

theDuke - 'Fly Away': A brilliant dance track. When I first heard it, I was so impressed I rang him up to make sure it was not a pre-existing track!

Hounds - 'Fear of Gold': We tipped the guys at the start of the year and they went on to open for The Prodigy in Milton Keynes - impressive.

Me and the Mountain were one of the bands to play live in session in 2010

The Puzzle Factory - 'Blurred Sepia': Ollie loves this for combining orchestral sounds with dubstep beats. Plus it was used on a December edition of Football Focus.

Me & the Mountain - 'This is What You Do': This year M&TM have put out so many good songs that we have to include one of them on this list!

Leddra Chapman - 'Wine Glass': I fell in love with this song when Leddra came and played live on our show in early December. She handed us a copy of her album - and it is amazing.