Across The Line

"Across the Line" is a programme on BBC Radio Ulster (92– 95 FM). It broadcasts Monday, 7.30pm to 10.00 pm and Saturday, 12.05 am to 02.00 am. Rigsy (real name David O'Reilly) presents the Monday programme. Saturday is the Dance show and is presented by Paul Hamill.

Support for Northern Ireland music and musicians in central to the Across the Line editorial brief. Since its inception in 1986 as The Bottom Line, the programme has championed Northern Irish rock music and in particular bands from Northern Ireland. The Monday edition of the programme continues that tradition.

Regular contributors have included Stuart Bailie (who also writes for NME magazine), Paul McClean, Helen Toland and Bernard Keenan.

History

Since 1999 Dance and club life has played an important role. Initiated by Paul McClean, and beginning on Thursday nights, the show has since moved to a new Saturday night slot and is dedicated to Electronic music from Hip-hop and House music to Drum and bass and techno and is presented by Belfast club dj Paul Hamill with a strong emphasis on supporting the music of local dj's and artists.

Established on 8 September 1986, The Bottom Line was named after the Big Audio Dynamite song which the programme used as its theme tune.The original presenters were Mike Edgar, Davy Sims, Michael Bradley and Barry McIlheney. Mike Edgar had been drummer with Cruella de Ville and started the programme presenting on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Davy Sims was the producer and founder of the programme. He had been working in Downtown Radio before joining BBC Radio Ulster and presented the Thursday edition. Michael Bradley "Mickey", had been Bassist with The Undertones. He presented three out of four Friday editions. The monthly London edition of the programme was with Barry McIlheney, former editor of Smash Hits and Empire magazines.

After a short time off air, the programme returned as Across the Line under the production of Mike Edgar. The show is aimed at teenagers and young adults (the same target audience as BBC Radio 1, but with a more regional focus). The show is notable for its promotion of local musical talent, actively promoting Snow Patrol before they became widely known. This tradition continues with the regular "Breaking Bands" section on the show at www.bbc.co.uk/atl .

"ATL TV"

The same team also produce the BBC Northern Ireland television series, "ATL TV", presented by Legge and O'Reilly. Colin Murray also appeared on the show. cite news|title=ATL TV|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/atl/atltv_nicensleezy.shtml|format=Original|work=bbc.co.uk|date=|accessdate=2007-04-14] The show has had four series of six shows, in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 with a fifth series of festival highlights broadcast in summer 2008. Each show is made up of live music, music videos and interviews, mainly featuring bands from Northern Ireland. However Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Chemical Brothers, Stereophonics and other international acts have also appeared.

"ATL Rockschool"

"ATL Rockschool" is a TV 'battle of the bands' on BBC 2 Northern Ireland. Hosted by Rigsy and Donna Legge, the final on both years features six bands from Northern Ireland, with every band member still at school.

The Tides won in 2006, with Busted guitarist James Bourne, "Kerrang" Editor Paul Brannigan and MTV presenter Emma Griffith on the judging panel. Nice N' Sleazy won in 2007, with Divine Comedy frontman Neil Hannon, "NME" writer James Jam and Therapy? bassist Michael Mc Keegan judging. Both bands then played the Tennents ViTal festival in Ormeau Park.

ATL Rockschool returned in January 2008, presented by Rigsy and Jill Morgan and was won by a new act called The Good Fight.update

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/atl/ Official website]