UNITING AND CELEBRATING RISING STARS, ICONIC COLLABORATIONS, AND POWERING THE PULSE OF A GENERATION | BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC FESTIVAL 25′

We were fortunate to attend the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2025 this week, which got underway on a very high note this Wednesday in Manchester.

The festival is a celebration not only of music but also of the station’s enduring legacy in the music industry and the artists it champions. The festival was truly a collective endeavor, celebrating the diverse voice and opinion of the individuals who live and breathe the music industry. From the groundbreaking performances, musical team-ups to the heart-wrenching speeches, gratitude was a common theme, as artists and industry professionals reflected on the vital support provided by BBC Radio 6 Music.

Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso gave heartfelt words on the station’s role in empowering young talent and grassroots initiatives, and jasmine.4.t spoke emotively as she thanked the platform BBC Introducing had given to her.

It was evident over the weekend that BBC Radio 6 Music and its extended family have a unique role to play in the future of music. Collectively, not only do they bring talent to the fore, but they also form lasting connections in the music world.

WEDNESDAY

Setting the stage for an unforgettable festival, the opening night was hosted at YES Manchester and dedicated to BBC Introducing, showcasing some phenomenal performances from rising stars Adult DVD, Renee Stormz, and jasmine.4.t.

Before performing their amazing sets, Huw Stephens went live from the venue with his 6 Music show, bringing fans closer to the music and the artists.

The live programme included interviews with all three acts, offering insights into their musical journeys. Fans can relive these special moments on BBC Sounds, with Adult DVD at the 43-minute mark, Renee Stormz at 1 hour and 21 minutes, and jasmine.4.t at 2 hours and 9 minutes here.

Speaking on air, headliner jasmine.4.t expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support from BBC Introducing over the years:

“I’ve had so much support from Introducing, both here in Manchester and before when I lived in Bristol. I’ve done live sessions for BBC Introducing for a decade now. Getting to this point and headlining the BBC Introducing stage, that’s really cool. Getting to be live on the radio for an hour on 6 Music, so exciting!”

Head of BBC Radio 6 Music, Samantha Moy, applauded the talent and energy that defined the night:

“What a fantastic way to start the 6 Music Festival, with incredible performances from some of our favourite local and emerging artists. Jasmine 4.t was spellbinding. There’s so much more to come and I’m looking forward to three more days of the whole station being together in Greater Manchester to experience some exceptional and unique live sets with one of the best audiences in the UK.”

THURSDAY

The energy of BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2025 continued to soar through its second day, bringing unforgettable performances to Victoria Warehouse Manchester.

Thursday, 27th March Thursday’s lineup set an electrifying tone with a series of remarkable performances. The night kicked off with Jamz Supernova spinning an incredible DJ set, followed by Fat Dog taking the stage alongside surprise guest Jessica Winter. Together, they delivered a unique rendition of Satisfaction by Benny Benassi and The Biz that had the audience buzzing.

Ezra Collective closed the night with a bespoke performance featuring Kinetika Bloco that celebrated the critical importance of youth clubs across the UK.

Femi Koleoso of Ezra Collective captivated the crowd with heartfelt words about the support they’ve received from BBC 6 Music and the meaningful theme behind their performance:

“The truth is, if we are to celebrate one thing, it has to be a celebration of all the youth clubs and all the schools teaching young people to play music. You start putting trumpets, saxophones, chess boards, and tennis rackets into schools, and suddenly, young people grow up in love with something bigger than the negativity they are forced to face. That’s the point.”

BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Nick Grimshaw, who introduced Ezra Collective on stage with Jamz Supernova, described the night as nothing short of magical:

“Starting my day with jasmine.4.t and Florentino at breakfast and ending it with the phenomenal Ezra Collective has been one for the books. Ezra are a very special band who feel limitless, and tonight we got to witness how their energy, message, and passion for performance are truly infectious.”

FRIDAY

On day three, audiences enjoyed a memorable evening packed with unique performances and yet more special collaborations.

The night started with 6 Music’s Tom Ravenscroft delivering a dynamic DJ set, energising the crowd and setting the tone for an extraordinary evening.

Following this, English Teacher took the stage, joined by surprise guest Richard Hawley for a moving rendition of Joy Division’s Transmission.

Doug Frost of English Teacher shared the charming backstory of how the collaboration came to life:

“Hawley gave me his number when we supported him, and then whilst English Teacher were in Tokyo, I texted him to ask him to appear for our show, and then he called me whilst I was in bed, and he was in bed with his dogs. Then we chatted for about an hour!”

Richard Hawley humorously reflected on their partnership:

“The collaboration I thought came about because my children said, ‘Oh, there’s this really cool band who are much, much younger than you, that you could also be a father of, due to the age difference, and they really like what you do.’ But actually, the truth is, Doug sent me a text, ‘yeah, alright.’”

The chemistry between the performers was evident, with Lily Fontaine of English Teacher expressing her delight:

“I think it were fun, I were grinning at the end.”

Richard Hawley added:

“Well, not to get too serious, but they’re from Leeds, I’m from Sheffield, and we’ve played a Manchester classic. Some people might say sacrilege, but I think it’s respectful and honourable.”

Closing the night, Mogwai delivered a breathtaking set featuring a one-of-a-kind collaboration with KNDS Fairey Acid Brass.

Their mesmerising blend of post-rock and brass ensemble captivated the audience, further cementing Mogwai’s reputation for pushing musical boundaries.

After a spectacular festival last year, BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2025 has once again been nothing short of phenomenal. The festival has successfully gathered the cream of UK eclectic talent, created iconic and history-making performances like English Teacher and Richard Hawley, and imparted powerful messages beyond music. With its awe-inspiring performances, poignant tributes, and emphasis on youth empowerment and community, can this festival really do anything more?

And as we all sit back and look at these moments, we are reminded that this festival is not so much about the music and the musicians but about the moments and messages exchanged and which touch so deeply, making a lasting impact on the cultural landscape.

Keep an eye out for Gracie’s review of Saturday’s final night, which will soon be published separately on Northern Exposure.

FOLLOW

Watch more highlights on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode…

Listen to sets and highlights on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/curation…

Follow all on social @BBC6Music

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