BUG Music Videos 5th Birthday app

BUG Music Videos has released its first mobile app, available to download for free on iPhone and Android handsets, in celebration of its 5th birthday.
The app is released as BUG reaches the 5th anniversary of its first ever show at the BFI Southbank in London hosted by Adam Buxton on 26 April 2007, and shortly after the 30th edition of BUG (subtitled The Evolution Of Music Video) at the BFI. The app also arrives as BUG begins recording a new TV version of the show – Adam Buxton’s BUG – for broadcast later in the year.

Download the iPhone version and the Android version.

The app contains the history of BUG, a 5th birthday playlist – one video selected from every BUG show at the BFI – with bespoke editorial about the videos, plus BUG poster/flyers created for each show. More features on the BUG Music Videos app will be rolled out over the coming months, including more videos from past shows, and a calendar of forthcoming BUG live gigs.
Over the past five years, BUG has showcased the most creative, daring and innovative music videos from around the world on the big screen, selected by the BUG editorial team and presented in inimitable fashion by comedian, broadcaster and music video enthusiast Adam Buxton – who includes the funniest and most outrageous reactions to the videos he can find from YouTube commentators.

BUG was created, and continues to be produced, by the London-based BUG team: Louise Stevens, David Knight, Phil Tidy and Chris Blakeston. It has played to more than 25,000 audience members at BFI Southbank alone, and has sold out cinemas, theatres and festivals around the UK and abroad. Five years down the line the unique format of the show has become a phenomenon, being toured nationally and internationally and now being turned into a TV show to be broadcast on Sky Atlantic in the Autumn.

The BUG app was designed and developed by a Manchester-based team: Neil McLean from Ayelike and Neil Richards from websitesarelovely.

Neil Richards said: “We have both been big fans of Adam Buxton for years, so when BUG played its first show in Manchester last May we quickly bought tickets and made sure we ended up on the front row. We loved the show and wished we could see it more regularly. BUG has only visited Manchester twice in its lifetime and this got us thinking about how we could extend the reach of the more-regular London shows. Designing and building a mobile app seemed like the perfect platform for allowing people to get involved with BUG regardless of their location.”

“As freelancers who have worked together for years, we decided to take the initiative and combine our skills to design the initial version of the app and present it to the BUG team. With BUG’s 5th birthday just around the corner, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to tailor the app to the anniversary playlist, giving an overview of the 30 shows from the last 5 years. We’re hoping to develop the app over time to include features such as bespoke content, bonus footage, downloads and interactive elements. This would extend the value to the app and generate a more engaging experience.”