I read an alarming piece in The Sun today that suggests Radio 1 bosses may be starting to shop around for the next wave of DJs for the station. All this is based on the claim that DJ’s like Chris Moyles and Jo Whiley are too old for the station’s target demographic.

This won’t be welcome news for Moylesy, who’s somewhere on the slopes of Kilimanjaro right now.

Radio 1 aims to pull in fans aged between 15 to 24. But Chris has just turned 35. Many of his production team, who take part in the show, are also in their early thirties.

Mum-of-four Jo Whiley, who hosts a daytime show, is 43, while weekend host Sara Cox is 34.

I suppose because I’m in the over 30 bracket myself, I’m quite satisfied with the DJs at Radio 1. Because on the plus side:

1. DJs like Chris Moyles and Jo Whiley are great for introducing new music. Jo Whiley’s contribution to the music industry over the years has been phenomenal. She’s introduced some exceptional music to the public.
2. With age comes professionalism: Moyles, Scott Mills and Co have branched out to TV appearances and other things. And all of those appearances bring people back to Radio 1.
3. The 15-24 year old demographic seem to be sticking around, despite the age gap between the DJs and listeners.
4. Possible replacements: Reggie Yates and Fearne Cotton? Reggie comes across as a lovely guy, but is exceedingly dull as a DJ. There’s no controversy or fire with Reggie. Fearne has obviously sold her soul to Satan for 24/7 TV coverage. She never seems to be off the telly. Which explains why Reggie presents so much on his own – she’s always got some better gig to be at. Radio 1, please don’t encourage her. Plus, I heard she’s got ITV’s cooties. You don’t want that, do you Radio 1?
5. Would they really be so mean as to put Westwoooood out to pasture? Do they have retirement homes for white gangstas or will he die in a bloody drive-by as he pimps someone’s ride?

However, on the other side, here are some negatives:

1. I’ve heard plenty of people bitch about how Moyles’ show has gone downhill. Certainly, I found myself switching off more as his rants became more egocentric and the banter on the show became irritating. Poor Aled. Likewise Scott Mills, who – nice guy, I’m sure – makes the sound of nails scraping down a blackboard seem like a pleasant auditory experience in comparison with his early evening show.
2. Some of the DJs have been around Radio 1 forever. And they’re obviously comfortable, because there’s no indication that they’re planning to leave. Maybe it’s time to let some fresh blood loose on the prime driving to/from work slots?
3. Radio 1 could really shake things up if they put some of their more radical DJs into the mainstream slots. The station has a number of late night shows that promote different types of music: maybe instead of blasting Alesha Dixon at us every half-hour, they could bring on some DJs to break exciting new music?

I know this is a jumble of ideas. Part of me is a little change resistant (why break a winning formula?), but another part would love Radio 1 to do something completely bold and reinvigorate the format.

Yes, this is where I start harping on about them using their platform to bring real new music (ie, not signed to major labels) to the public. Hell, the really brave heads of the station might even accept a radical drop in listener numbers, just until they established a new format.

What do you think? Are the DJs out of touch, and is it time they moved on to let new talent through?

This year is no exception, and the BBC’s Sound of 2009 is riddled with 10 singers and bands that you’ve probably never heard of before. Last year’s chart namechecked Adele, Duffy and The Ting Tings – this year, we’re being introduced to Little Boots, White Lies, Lady GaGa and La Roux among others. Read on for the full list…

1. Little Boots
2. White Lies
3. Florence and the Machine
4. Empire of the Sun
5. La Roux
6. Lady GaGa
7. VV Brown
8. Kid Cudi
9. Passion Pit
10. Dan Black

Do not underestimate this list – it is a very powerful prediction of the next 12 months in music. People are already raving about Little Boots, La Roux and Lady GaGa. Rest assured, you will be seeing and hearing from these artists in 2009.

Check out last year’s list to see how many of the acts charted.

Update: I’ve added links to the MySpace pages for each of these acts so that you can check them out online and get a feel for their music.

Why not comment here and let us know who your favourite new band for 2009 is?

The top act has been named as Chasing Pavements singer, Adele, followed by female singer Duffy and a group called The Ting Tings. Here’s the complete list of Sound Of 2008 artists along with links to their websites:

1. Adele
2. Duffy
3. The Ting Tings
4. Glasvegas
5. Foals
6. Vampire Weekend
7. Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
8. Black Kids
9. MGMT
10. Santogold

The BBC’s annual music industry poll is eerily accurate, as previous years’ results show (look for the info boxes on the original article).

The show seems to have a lot of audience participation planned. Depending on what you believe, parts of the show will be presented by audience members, and they’ll also have a role in voting which unsigned acts get to play on the show.

BBC Three controller Danny Cohen said: “I’m delighted… she’s one of the hottest acts around and an important voice of her generation.”

This is an interesting move for Lily. She’s become something of a poster child for MySpace, and this series looks set to give her an active role in helping break new musical acts. Congrats to Lily…

Pop sensation Will Young is to join this year’s BBC Proms In The Park – the annual musical extravaganza held in London’s Hyde Park that allows music lovers to enjoy the magic and majesty of the much-loved Last Night Of The Proms.

The event, which has a capacity of 40,000 music lovers, is sponsored by NS&I.

Young – whose glittering career has earned him two Brit Awards, four No.1 singles and two No.1 albums – performs at the concert on Saturday 8 September.

He joins a diverse and star-studded line-up that already includes legendary soprano Lesley Garrett, who has just completed a run in the critically-acclaimed The Sound of Music, and last year’s BBC Young Musician of the Year, the Liverpudlian clarinettist Mark Simpson.

The event also sees performances from acclaimed Peruvian tenor sensation Juan Diego Flórez and the BBC Concert Orchestra under the baton of Carl Davis.

It will culminate in a live video link-up with the Royal Albert Hall and a nationwide sing-along to traditional favourites including Jerusalem, Rule Britannia! with the help of the Royal Choral Society.

Tony Hadley, former frontman of top Eighties pop band Spandau Ballet, has also been added to the line-up for the afternoon’s warm-up events, to be presented by CBBC favourites Dick & Dom.

Also appearing on stage to help prepare the audience for the main broadcast show will be live–wire X-Factor finalist Chico, acclaimed T-Rex tribute band T-Rextasy and classical duo RyanDan.

Now an integral part of the UK’s musical calendar, Proms In Yhe Park will be hosted, for the 12th year, by Sir Terry Wogan, and takes places in five locations across all four nations of the United Kingdom – Glasgow, Carrickfergus Castle, Middlesbrough, Swansea and London.

Due to unprecedented demand, BBC Radio 1 confirmed today, that they will add an extra 5,000 tickets across the two days for Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

The event takes place in Preston, Moor Park on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 May and promises to be the biggest in Radio 1’s history.

Application levels for Radio 1’s Big Weekend have been the highest ever, with almost half a million people registering for free tickets to date. The station has received such an overwhelming response that it has taken the decision to increase the amount of tickets, allowing as many people as possible to attend.

On Wednesday 9 May, Radio 1 will email entrants to advise if they have been successful or not. Tickets will then be mailed out by first-class post.

Jason Carter, Editor of Live Events, Radio 1 said: “Radio 1 is delighted to reveal we will be making the festival site bigger to give an additional 5,000 tickets across the two days to our audience.

“Listeners will still be incredibly lucky to win one of our golden tickets and they’ll find out tomorrow if they have been successful or not.

“For all of those who don’t win tickets, they can still be part of the action by listening on Radio 1, viewing on BBC TV and Red Button and going online. This year’s multi-platform content is bigger and better than ever.”