BBC Introducing stage line-up announced

The first handful of upcoming bands who will play the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend in May have been announced.

Natty performed at the Camden Crawl

The stage features some of the best new unsigned bands in the country.

Here's the rundown of some of the bands:

FIGHTING WITH WIRE

Fighting With Wire are from Londonderry and could just be poised to take over from Lostprophets, Funeral For A Friend and Biffy Clyro as the UK's hottest new rock band with growling guitar anthems like Strength In Numbers and Everyone Needs A Nemesis.

Formed in late 2003, the trio have gone through considerable line-up changes, notably five different bassists. Their current line-up includes singer Cahir O'Doherty, bassist Jamie King and drummer Craig McKean.

The band cite At the Drive-In, Sandstone, Weezer and Fugazi as their major influences.

They recently signed a major record deal with Atlantic Records, who in the past have worked with Hard-Fi and The Darkness.

KATE GOES

Kate Goes play songs with squeaky dog toys

Kate Goes are a five-piece from Birmingham who use some pretty far out instruments, including a squeaky dog toy. They look like they just wrestled their way out of a jumble sale.

Sounding like Emmy The Great backed by the Super Furry Animals, this quintet are driven by lush sweeping melodies and experimental sounds.

Bigged up by Radio 1's Huw Stephens, their current EP Happy Dancing features tinkling lullaby Heartbeat and the jangly Walking The Dog.

GOLDEN SILVERS

Golden Silvers won a competition to play at this summer's Glastonbury and have been championed by Radio 1's Huw Stephens.

Normally Glastonbury's New Talent competition ends with one unsigned band winning a spot at Worthy Farm.

But the judges found it so difficult to separate Golden Silvers and The Travelling Band that they decided to pick two winners.

Described by Michael Eavis as the new "Oasis, Coldplay" the London trio sound like a cross between Elvis Costello and Madness.

CHIPMUNK

A protégé of Wiley, UK grime artist Chipmunk released three mix tapes, before the age of 16. He has been supported by Radio 1's Tim Westwood and 1Xtra.

The grime rapper first started MCing at a youth club by his home in North London before he was picked up by Wiley.

The up and coming star said he was 15 when he made his first mix tape in his bedroom and he managed to sell 500 in a week.

In between recording he is also studying drama, sociology and accounting at A level.

OUTL4W

Outl4w describe their sound as "kinderpunk"

Teen punk band Outl4w formed in Lytham St Annes about four years ago when most of them were still under the age of 15.

They've already recorded sessions with Steve Lamacq and Colin Murray and have featured as Zane's Hottest Record in the World twice.

Lead singer Bobby Bentham describes their sound as "kinder-punk", a sort of high energy pop-rock, influenced by Green Day and The Ramones.

AG DOLLA

AG Dolla is an East African Asian Bi-lingual rapper who started to rap four years ago.

Radio 1, 1Xtra and the BBC Asian Network have all championed his work which has often resulted in the rapper using funds from airplay to raise money for orphanages in Kenya.

His debut single Daydreamer has been downloaded over 3,000 times over the internet.

NATTY

London singer songwriter Natty, whose debut album is released on 30 June, recently appeared on Later..With Jules Holland and performed at the Camden Crawl.

His album Man Like I features a cross section of various musical styles from reggae, to folk to hip-hop.

The singer's name is taken from the 1974 Bob Marley album Natty Dread.

Radio 1's Big Weekend will be held at Mote Park in Maidstone on 10-11 May.