The four-day festival will land at venues like YES, Band on the Wall and the Eccles Town Hall Ballroom...
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is returning to Manchester next month, taking place across independent grassroots venues in Greater Manchester from Wednesday 25 to Saturday 28 March.
In a shift from previous years, the festival will spread beyond its usual footprint to spotlight the city region’s independent live music spaces, including Band on the Wall and YES, as well as new venues for 2026 such as the Eccles Town Hall Ballroom. Local promoters FaT OuT and the mighty Homobloc have also partnered on events throughout the four days.
Festival organisers have announced an eclectic lineup of performers across venues, with Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett, The Horrors, Yard Act, Wesley Joseph, Lynks, Mandy, Indiana, SILVERWINGKILLER, Sorry and Tiberius b among those on the bill.
DJ sets will be delivered by Kelly Lee Owens, Beth Ditto & Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam & Nathan Shepherd, Lambrini Girls and Steve Lamacq as part of an Indie Forever club night and at Homobloc’s closing party.
Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music, said: “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, who will play and DJ at the festival, added: “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!”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the festival’s focus on grassroots venues recognised the ‘independent spirit’ that has long driven the region’s music scene, and its role in nurturing new talent and keeping cultural life vibrant.
Across the four days, the festival will also be broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio Manchester, with presenters including Nick Grimshaw, Chris Hawkins, Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, AFRODEUTSCHE, Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie hosting segments from MediaCityUK and live venues. Highlights, performances and DJ sets will be made available on BBC Sounds for 30 days after the festival.
Artists have also been engaging with the station in the run-up to the event, with Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett, Kelly Lee Owens, The Horrors, Jacob Alon and Yard Act presenting four-part Artist in Residence series on BBC Sounds ahead of March.
Tickets to individual shows go on sale at 10am on Thursday 12 February via the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival website.
Here’s the line-up in full:
Weds 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