Young fans from across the country - all participants in music-making projects funded by Youth Music - will see live performances from all three bands at one of the 13 gigs scheduled at different venues nationwide. They will also have the unforgetable experience of meeting the artists backstage and will receive exclusive signed merchandise.

Other tour memorabilia will be donated to Youth Music to help the charity engage a wider audience of young music-makers and to raise much-needed funds for extending its remit beyond England to support music-making for young people in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The tour, co-headlined by Arrested Development and The Spooks with support from Lifesavas, includes performances in London, Brighton, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, Exeter and Nottingham between 20 January and 2 February 2004 (see below for dates and venues).

Youth Music is a national charity creating music-making opportunities for children and young people who might otherwise lack opportunity. DONATE-A-DATE is a way for music celebrities to support youth music-making in areas of social and economic need.

Kelly Rowland, Placebo and Sum 41 are among other big name artists that have supported the campaign. All DONATE-A-DATE proceeds directly benefit young people participating in Youth Music projects.

Richard Utting, Head of Fundraising & Development at Youth Music, comments: "Many of the young people Youth Music targets are heavily influenced by urban music so we are delighted that these hugely successful Hip Hop acts are supporting DONATE-A-DATE. Meeting the artists will be an inspiring and unforgettable experience for the young people and will help us promote the educational and social benefits of music-making. We hope to see many other artists from other popular music genres endorse the work of Youth Music in the future."

Speech from Arrested Development says: "The youth have energy, Youth Music is cool."

Spooks comment: "Hip Hop can be everything, Hip Hop can be limitless. Youth Music has some great values, similar to our own. We want our music to be about inspiration, hope, growth and advancement."

Vursatyl from Lifesavas says: "We think it is a brilliant programme. Youth in the UK need to be able to tap into their creativity thoroughly. What better way to be a full rounded musician? The freedom this grants at an early age allows genius to grow, NOW!"

DONATE-A-DATE is endorsed by the BPI, AIM and AURA.

For further information about DONATE-A-DATE ontact:
T: 020 7902 1095
E: richard.utting@youthmusic.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Tour dates are as follows:
   
Tues 20 Jan Jazz Cafe, London
Thurs 22 Jan Concorde II, Brighton
Fri 23 Jan Sankeys, Manchester
Sat 24 Jan Wardrobe, Leeds
Sun 25 Jan The Village, Dublin
Mon 26 Jan Cuba, Galway
Tues 27 Jan University, Newcastle
Weds 28 Jan Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Thurs 29 Jan University, Warwick
Fri 30 Jan Leadmill, Sheffield
Sat 31 Jan Phoenix, Exeter
Sun 1 Feb Toucan Club, Cardif
Mon 2 Feb Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

2. For more information about the bands visit:
www.thespooks.com
www.lifesavas.com
www.speechmusic.com

3. Youth Music was set up in 1999 with 10m a year of Lottery funding received through Arts Council England. It funds and facilitates high quality and diverse music-making for young people who might otherwise lack opportunity. By 2006 Youth Music aims to have reached more than 3m young people and their wider communities.