The BBC have announced this year’s Radio 6 Music Festival, which will span various grassroots venues across Greater Manchester this March. The lineup features Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett, The Horrors, Yard Act and more.
The inaugural festival was held in Manchester in February of 2014, with the BBC using their music-forward station Radio 6 Music to gather artists that fit their profile of alternative music beyond the typical commercialism of Radio 1. Speaking in 2014, Bob Shennan who was at the time controller of Radio 2 and 6, said “The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival brings a wonderful 6 Music line up of performances to music fans – one which reflects the fantastic range of artists that BBC Radio 6 Music offers listeners every day.”
View this post on Instagram
In a similar nature to Radio 1’s One Big Weekend event, the 6 Music Festival used to travel to different cities each year. 2014 in Manchester had Damon Albarn headlining, 2015’s in the Newcastle area had locals Maxïmo Park, and the 2016 iteration brought Primal Scream to Bristol. Since 2023, the festival took a permanent residence at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse, with last year’s offering including Ezra Collective and Mogwai.
For 2026, they’ve done things a little differently, moving away from the larger halls to something more intimate. The event is taking place across multiple independent venues around the sprawl of Greater Manchester, including the primary venues Band on the Wall, YES, and Eccles Town Hall Ballroom. Radio 6 DJ Nick Grimshaw, who will also be making appearances throughout the week, said to the BBC “These independent spaces are vital for culture and a space where artists are given the freedom to take risks, grow, and truly flourish. I can’t wait.”
This year’s 6 Music Festival starts at 7PM on Wednesday the 25th of March, running until Saturday the 28th. The biggest name on the bill are London indie rockers Bloc Party, who have undergone a renaissance in recent years and become one of the most in-demand bands on the live touring circuit. Also at the top of the list are The Horrors, who hail from Essex. Their brooding, dark brand of gothic-touched rock has been a big hit with festivals across the UK for years now.
Among the other acts are Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett, Leeds post-punks Yard Act, and this year’s BRITs Critics Choice Award winner Jacob Alon. There are BBC Introducing performances from some of the brightest talents, as well as DJ sets from Nick Grimshaw, Steve Lamacq, Beth Ditto and Lambrini Girls.
The current list of artists, venues, and stage times can be found here. Tickets go on sale on Thursday the 12th of February for each venue from links here, only costing a bargain price of £16 at face value. For audiences at home, coverage will be available on BBC Radio 6 Music and through the BBC Sounds website.
