Eurostar presents Traction: an official London 2012 festival event curated by Gilles Peterson

Eurostar, an official supporter of the London 2012 Festival, unveiled an original one-day summer festival - Eurostar presents Traction - curated by internationally renowned DJ Gilles Peterson.

The unique event, created by Eurostar, will bring together musical, dance and arts performers from across Europe for a special one-day festival to celebrate the diversity of European talent on London's doorstep.

Parisian Sebastien Tellier and Cologne's Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble are the first two acts to be confirmed today, with further names set to join the line up in the coming weeks. Each performer has been handpicked by Gilles Peterson, drawing on his 30-years of experience in the music industry and his insatiable appetite for groundbreaking new music.

Traction will be the very first event to take place in London's newest creative quarter, Granary Square. The venue is a stone's throw from Eurostar's central London home, St Pancras International. Opening to the public for the first time in June, Granary Square will be one of the largest urban spaces of its kind in Europe. The square sits at the heart of the 67-acre King's Cross development, which combines new and magnificently restored historic buildings with an ambitious art programme featuring major commissions by internationally acclaimed artists.

Early bird ticket sales for Eurostar presents Traction opened on 17 April 2012. More information and tickets are available at www.eurostartraction.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Gilles Peterson, curator of Traction, said: "Emerging across Europe is a wealth of pioneering musical talent. Traction will give thousands of residents and visitors to the London 2012 Games the chance to discover the exciting new music on offer just a short journey from the UK. In curating this very special event, we will bring a truly original experience to the public as they celebrate the arrival of the Games in London."

Lionel Benbassat, Director of Marketing at Eurostar, said: "With such an inspiring and eclectic mix of European music, art and dance, London's newest creative quarter will come to life for the first time in July. We are excited to be bringing together Europe's finest talent from across our destinations as the nation counts down to the London 2012 celebrations."

Eurostar is the Official International Rail Service Provider for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the summer, Eurostar will carry Olympic and Paralympic fans from the continent to London to soak up the atmosphere of the Games.

The London 2012 Festival is a 12-week UK-wide programme bringing together leading artists from across the world. More information can be found at www.london2012.com/festival
 
Note to editors:
About Eurostar presents Traction:
Title: Eurostar presents Traction, curated by Gilles Peterson
Date: Saturday 14th July, 2012
Location: Granary Square, off Goods Way, King's Cross, London N1C (4AA)
Timings: 5pm – 11pm, doors open at 4pm
Over 18s only
Available at www.eurostartraction.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Biographies of artists are available on request via the Eurostar Press Office 0207 843 5500 press.office@eurostar.co.uk

About Eurostar:
Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps, offering trouble-free travel to those wishing to enjoy Paris City Breaks with cheap Paris tickets and Brussels city breaks, as well as offering a London to Brussels train and a London to Amsterdam train.

The current Eurostar train was first introduced into service in 1994 carrying 750 passengers and operating at speeds of up to 300kph. Since then, the fleet of 28 trains has carried more than 115 million passengers between London and the Continent via the Channel tunnel. Following their refurbishment these trains will continue to form a core part of the Eurostar fleet.

PR contact:
Aude Criqui
Senior Press Officer
Eurostar Press Office
Times House
Regent Quarter
Bravingtons Walk
London
N1 9AW
0044 (0)20 7843 5405
www.eurostar.com