The line-up for this year’s BBC Radio 6 Music Festival has been announced live on-air this morning (Tuesday 16 January).
The station’s flagship live music event returns to its permanent home at O2 Victoria Warehouse in Salford this year, and will welcome the best new talent, unique collaborations and surprise guests.
Taking place between Thursday 7 and Sunday 10 March, the three-day festival will be headlined by prog-hip hop trio Young Fathers, legendary rock outfit Gossip, The Smile as well as the London Contemporary Orchestra.
Young Fathers will top the bill on the first night of the festival, joined by the Hulme and Moss Side-based NIA community choir, supported by Hak Baker and a DJ set by SHERELLE.
The following night sees Gossip, lead by vocalist Beth Ditto, performing their first UK show in four years and giving festival goers the global premiere of unreleased material. They will be supported by CMAT and AFRODEUTSCHE on the decks.
Gossip, who will be performing never heard before tracks, said: “We’re so excited, Manchester is going to be the first to hear our new record live! Such a special crowd, we’ve missed you so much and can’t wait to be back!”
On Saturday night, The Smile share the stage with the London Contemporary Orchestra, marking the first time the Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and Tom Skinner project has performed with an orchestra.
Further shows will take place across the event at venues including Band On The Wall, Depot Mayfield (in partnership with The Warehouse Project) and 6 Music’s first visit to YES.
There will also be Morning After Mix live events at Ramona, and Jamz Supernova’s Saturday show will be broadcast from the venue on Saturday 9 March. Other DJs playing across the city include Mary Anne Hobbs, DJ Paulette, Children of Zeus and Amy Lamé.
If you can’t make it down, highlights from the festival will be broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio Manchester. Tickets for each separate event will be available from 10am on Thursday 18 January here.
