The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra is presenting its second festival of free live concerts at MediaCityUK in Salford, and venues across the North of England.

The 'BBC Philharmonic Presents…' concert series will begin in September and continue until mid-December, featuring singer-songwriter Richard Hawley making his first appearance with a UK orchestra, Indie pop band The xx performing a specially commissioned piece, and The Guy Barker Jazz Orchestra.

The 2012 festival looks set to be an even greater success than the inaugural festival last year, which attracted a turnout of 3000 at MediaCityUK, and a further 11 million listeners through BBC radio networks and the red button service.

The general manager of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Wigley, is excited about the collaboration between Britain’s best artists and producers, and the full symphonic power of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, highlighting the festival as 'a unique opportunity to bring the highest standard of music-making to new audiences'.

Sarah Martin