CHART-topping rap star Professor Green is to headline next month's MTV music event in Derry. The London-born rapper will take to the stage alongside Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter MNEK for the MTV Crashes event at Ebrington Square on September 19.
Organisers said 10,000 tickets for the gig sold out within 40 seconds when they went on sale earlier this month.
'I am just excited to get out on that stage," said Professor Green, whose real name is Stephen Paul Manderson.
"I love performing, that's what it's all about for me, so I'm looking forward to sharing my tracks with this Derry audience and seeing their reaction at MTV Crashes."
A rapper, songwriter and producer, Professor Green is about to release his third studio album Growing Up In Public. The new work includes collaborations with some of the top names in music, including Ed Sheeran, Tori Kelly and Rizzle Kicks.
One of Britain's top performers, he has already clocked up eight consecutive top 40 singles. Some of his best known singles include Read All About It, I Need You Tonight and Just Be Good To Green.
Singer/songwriter, MNEK, who was also unveiled last night as one of the acts to perform, had a top 40 hit with Gorgon City's Read For Your Love. The Grammy nominated performer also had success with Duke Dumont's Need U. His appearance in Derry coincides with the release of his own first single Wrote A Song About You which is due out on September 1.
The London-born singer said: "I am looking forward to performing alongside Professor Green at MTV Crashes Derry.
"I think it's going to be a good one and hopefully we will well and truly crash it."
Separately Translink has unveiled details of travel arrangements for this week's Tennent's Vital concerts at Boucher playing fields in Belfast featuring The Killers tomorrow night and David Guetta on Sunday.
Translink and festival organisers, MCD are encouraging music fans to use the special coach, bus and train travel organised for the south Belfast event.
Translink's Ciaran Rogan said late night rail services would be organised from Balmoral train station to Lisburn/Portadown and to Belfast with connections to Carrickfergus, Antrim and Coleraine.
Mr Rogan said: "Special festival coaches will run from locations across Northern Ireland including: Derry/Londonderry, Claudy, Dungiven, Maghera, Castledawson, Toomebridge, Newry, Ban-bridge, Omagh, Ballygawley, Dungannon, Crevenagh, Bangor and Newtownards."
A Metro shuttle bus service will operate between Donegall Square East in Belfast and Boucher Crescent on each day of the festival. Full details of all travel arrangements are available at www. translink.co.uk/tennentsvital or by calling 028 90 666 630.
* GRAMMY-NOMINATED: MNEK
* PROF POSITIVE: Professor Green will play in front of 10,000 fans at MTV Crashes in Derry next month