BBC Radio 6 Music Festival announced

Wednesday |

BBC Radio 6 Music has announced that its annual live music festival will take place at independent venues across Greater Manchester from Wednesday 25 – Saturday 28 March.

This year the event will shine a well-deserved light on independent grassroots venues, extending its reach across Greater Manchester and celebrating its independent spirit. The festival will be at iconic live music spaces including Band on the Wall and YES, as well as – new for 2026 – the Eccles Town Hall Ballroom, and there will be new partnership events with local promoters FaT OuT and Homobloc.

Artists performing across the four days include Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett, The Horrors, Jacob Alon, Kelly Lee Owens (DJ set), Lynks, ‘Mandy, Indiana’, SILVERWINGKILLER, Sorry, Tiberius b, Wesley Joseph and Yard Act. Festival goers will also have the chance to see DJ sets from Beth Ditto & Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam & Nathan Shepherd, Lambrini Girls and Steve Lamacq as part of an Indie Forever club night. There will also be DJ sets from The Knife’s Olof Dreijer, Aiden Francis and Fig at a partnership event with Homobloc, and performances from Lauren Auder, Naima Bock and R.AGGS as part of a partnership event with FaT OuT.

Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music says: “Independent grassroot venues are vital to the UK’s music ecosystem and at 6 Music, we’re proud to support what they do. So, it makes sense for the next evolution of the 6 Music Festival to take place in these special spaces, collaborating with new partners and celebrating Manchester’s incredible music legacy, as well as the next generation of artists.”

Nick Grimshaw says: “So excited to be back at the 6 Music Festival in Manchester. Bringing a whole host of excellent artists and showcasing them at grassroots venues – these independent spaces are increasingly under threat but are vital for culture and a space where artists are given the freedom to take risks, grow, and truly flourish. I can’t wait!”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says: “Greater Manchester’s music scene has always been driven by its grassroots venues and independent spirit. They’re vital to nurturing new talent and keeping our cultural life vibrant. It’s fantastic to see the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival celebrating those spaces and shining a spotlight on the creativity that continues to flourish right across our city region.”

6 Music Festival Lineup

Wednesday 25 March

BBC Introducing

  • TTSSFU + Pyncher + Ellen Beth Abdi at Band on the Wall from 7pm

Thursday 26 March

  • Kelly Lee Owens (DJ set) + Wesley Joseph at Band on the Wall from 7pm
  • Mandy, Indiana + SILVERWINGKILLER at YES from 7pm

Friday 27 March

  • Bloc Party + The Horrors at Band on the Wall from 7pm
  • Yard Act + Sorry at YES from 7pm
  • Indie Forever club night with Steve Lamacq, Beth Ditto + Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam + Nathan Shepherd, and Lambrini Girls at YES from midnight

Saturday 28 March

  • Courtney Barnett + Jacob Alon at Band on the Wall from 7pm
  • Lynks + Tiberius b at YES from 7pm
  • 6 Music Festival and FaT OuT present Lauren Auder, Naima Bock and R.AGGS at Eccles Town Hall Ballroom from 3pm
  • Homobloc presents 6 Music’s Festival’s Closing Party with Olof Dreijer at YES from 11.30pm