Photo: BBC Radio 6 Music
BBC Radio 6 Music has confirmed its annual festival will return to Manchester.
Taking place between March 25 and 28, the festival will spotlight grassroots venues across the city, including Band On The Wall, YES, and — new for 2026 — Eccles Town Hall Ballroom, along with partnership events with local promoters FaT OuT and Homobloc. Head of BBC Radio 6 Music, Samantha Moy 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."
Artists announced to play 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 can also catch DJ sets from Beth Ditto and Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam and Nathan Shepherd, and Lambrini Girls and Steve Lamacq as part of an Indie Forever club night.
"So excited to be back at the 6 Music Festival in Manchester," Grimshaw shared. "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!"
There will also be DJ sets from The Knife's Olof Dreijer, Aiden Francis and Fig at a Homobloc partnership event, while Lauren Auder, Naima Bock and R.AGGS will perform at a separate event with FaT OuT.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham added: "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."
In the run-up to the festival, Block Party, Courtney Barnett, Kelly Lee Owens, The Horrors, Jacob Alon and Yard will each host a four-part Artist In Residence series on 6 Music. A new BBC Sounds podcast, The Rise and Fall of Manchester, presented by Lamacq and Alison Bell will also launch on March 16.
BBC Radio Manchester will air highlights from a BBC Introducing night at Band On The Wall on March 26 with Breakfast with Joe McGrath celebrating local talent from 6am the following day.
The festival's programme, performances and DJ sets will be available on BBC Sounds, alongside Indie At The 6 Music Festival, a collection of highlights. Standout moments from Band On The Wall and selected sets from YES will also be available on demand across the weekend via BBC iPlayer and BBC Music's YouTube channel.
Head here for further details, and below for the line-up. Tickets for each event are sold individually, and go on general sale at 10am on Thursday (February 12).
Weds 25th March – BBC Introducing
TTSSFU + Pyncher + Ellen Beth Abdi at Band on the Wall from 7pm
Thursday March 26
Kelly Lee Owens (DJ set) + Wesley Joseph at Band on the Wall from 7pm
Mandy, Indiana + SILVERWINGKILLER at YES from 7pm
Friday March 27
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 March 28
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
The 6 Music broadcast schedule is as follows:
Wednesday March 25
Chris Hawkins (5-7am), Nick Grimshaw (7-10am) and Craig Charles (1-4pm) broadcast their shows from MediaCityUK in Salford
Huw Stephens (4-7pm), Deb Grant & Nathan Shepherd (7-9pm) and Emily Pilbeam (9-11pm) broadcast from Band on the Wall in Manchester
Thursday March 26
Chris Hawkins (5-7am), Nick Grimshaw (7-10am), Lauren Laverne (10am-1pm), Craig Charles (1-4pm) and Huw Stephens (4-7pm) broadcast from MediaCityUK
Deb Grant & Nathan Shepherd from Band on the Wall with live music (7-9pm)
Mary Anne Hobbs and Femi Koleoso from Band on the Wall with live music (9pm-midnight)
Friday March 27
Chris Hawkins (5-7am), Nick Grimshaw (7-10am), Lauren Laverne (10am-1pm), Craig Charles (1-4pm) and Huw Stephens (4-7pm) from MediaCityUK
Steve Lamacq from YES in Manchester with live music (7-9pm)
Nathan Shepherd & Emily Pilbeam from YES with live music (9pm-midnight)
Indie Forever club night DJ sets (12-3am)
Saturday March 28
AFRODEUTSCHE (6-8am), Mark Radcliffe & Stuart Maconie (8-10am) and Deb Grant & Craig Charles (10am-1pm), Gilles Peterson & Zakia (1-4pm), Cerys Matthews & Huw Stephens (4-7pm) from MediaCityUK
Nick Grimshaw & Beth Ditto from Band on the Wall with live music (7-9pm)
Amy Lamé & AFRODEUTSCHE from MediaCityUK with live music (9-11pm)
SHERELLE from MediaCityUK with DJ sets from Homobloc presents 6 Music Festival’s Closing Party (11pm-1am)
Sunday March 29
AFRODEUTCHE (6-8am), Mark Radcliffe & Stuart Maconie (8-10am), Cerys Matthews (10am-1pm) reflect on the festival, broadcasting from MediaCItyUK
Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour with a 6 Music Festival themed show (1-4pm)
BBC 6 Music Festival Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Wed March 25 2026 - MANCHESTER Band on the Wall
Thu March 26 2026 - MANCHESTER Band on the Wall
Fri March 27 2026 - MANCHESTER Band on the Wall
Sat March 28 2026 - MANCHESTER Band on the Wall
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