BBC 6 MUSIC FESTIVAL TO GO GRASSROOTS IN MANCHESTER FOR 2026
Next week, BBC Radio 6 Music will officially take over Greater Manchester‘s grassroots venues to bring its 2026 flagship BBC 6 Music Festival, in a strategic shift to celebrate the “independent spirit” of the city.
From Wednesday, March 25 to Saturday, March 28, the festival will forgo traditional arena settings in favour of iconic local spaces including Band on the Wall, YES, and for the first time Eccles Town Hall Ballroom.
The move comes at a critical time for the UK’s smaller music spaces. Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music, emphasised that these venues are “vital to the UK’s music ecosystem,” while broadcaster Nick Grimshaw noted they are “increasingly under threat.” Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham welcomed the news, stating the region’s culture is driven by the creativity flourishing in these independent hubs.
The four-day event features an exciting mix of indie heavyweights and even mercury-nominated newcomers. Keeping it local, Manchester’s own rising talent will kick start proceedings at Band on the Wall on Wednesday 25th March featuring singer-songwriter TTSSFU, alt-rock band Pyncher and electro-soul artist Ellen Beth Abdi.
On Thursday 26th March, Kelly Lee Owens and Wesley Joseph will be bringing the beats to Band on the Wall from 7pm, meanwhile Mandy, Indiana and SILVERWINGKILLER will be raising the roof at the city’s YES. Speaking on her upcoming appearance Owens shares: “Playing the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival in Manchester feels like a full-circle moment.”
The pace picks up on Friday, 27th March, with headline sets from Bloc Party and garage-goth veterans The Horrors sharing the bill at Band on the Wall with Kele Okereke of Bloc Party saying: “We so rarely get to play these intimate shows anymore. We’ll be dropping a few surprises on the night too.” Over at YES, Leeds legends Yard Act with play alongside genre bending Sorry. On performing at the festival Yard Act shares: “We can’t wait to play the 6 Music Festival in one of Manchester’s finest independent venues, YES, the scene of some of our earliest shows way back in 2021.”
On Saturday night, 28th March, Band on the Wall welcomes Mercury Prize nominee and BRIT’s Critic’s Choice winner Jacob Alon joined Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett. Jacob Alon said: “I’m so gassed to be playing 6 Music Festival! It means so much after all of the support 6 has given my music. I really believe in this station and all it does for alternative music.” At YES, modern queer culture icon Lynks will be joined by Canadian artist Tiberius b who shares: “Performing is a holy and cathartic exercise for me. My inner monologue can be quite violent during the process, but ever since I was a kid I have yearned to communicate in this way.”
This year marks a deepening of ties with local promoters. The festival will collaborate with Homobloc for a closing party featuring Olof Dreijer (The Knife), and with FaT OuT for a special afternoon showcase at Eccles Town Hall. For those looking to dance into the early hours, the Indie Forever club night at YES will feature DJ sets from Steve Lamacq, Beth Ditto, Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam, Nathan Shepherd and Lambrini Girls.
Tickets: Most event tickets are now SOLD OUT but last availability can be found via the 6 Music Festival website. But with presenters including Lauren Laverne, Craig Charles and Mary Anne Hobbs broadcasting live from MediaCityUK and the venues throughout the week, nobody has to miss out on this sensational 4 day line-up. You can catch up on-demand via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds for 30 days post-broadcast.
