BBC Radio 6 Festival to come to grassroots venues in GM

The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival will run from Wednesday, March 25, to Saturday, March 28, and take place in local venues including Band on the Wall, YES and, for the first time – the Eccles Town Hall Ballroom.

The four-day event will bring a mix of established names and rising talent to the city region.

Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett, The Horrors, Yard Act, Kelly Lee Owens, Lynks and Wesley Joseph are among the artists set to perform, alongside a host of DJ sets from the likes of Beth Ditto, Nick Grimshaw, Steve Lamacq and Lambrini Girls.

Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music, said the shift towards smaller venues reflects the station’s commitment to supporting the foundations of the UK’s music scene.

She said: “Independent grassroots 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.”

BBC 6 Radio Music Festival line-up (Image: BBC Radio 6)

Nick Grimshaw, who will appear both on air and at the Indie Forever club night, added that such venues remain “vital for culture and a space where artists are given the freedom to take risks, grow and truly flourish. I can’t wait!”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham welcomed the festival’s return and he praised its focus on the region’s independent spirit.

He said: “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 2026 LINEUP

Weds 25th March – BBC Introducing

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

 Thursday 26th March

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

 Friday 27th 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 28th 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

Tickets to each event are sold separately and will be available from www.bbc.co.uk/6musicfestival at 10am on Thursday, February 12