BBC Radio 6 Music has announced the line-up and venues for the 6 Music Festival 2025. The event is the station’s flagship annual music festival, which takes place in Greater Manchester from Wednesday 26th – Saturday 29th March.
This year’s festival features headline performances at O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester from: Ezra Collective, with a special bespoke performance that celebrates the importance of youth clubs across the country; Mogwai, featuring a unique collaboration with KNDS Fairey Acid Brass; and Kae Tempest, with the global premiere of new material.
Also taking to the stage are Fat Dog, English Teacher and Perfume Genius, with 6 Music’s Jamz Supernova, Tom Ravenscroft and SHERELLE all DJing at the venue.
Other events and club nights include a BBC Introducing night, New Music Fix Live, Indie Forever, Rave Forever in partnership with The Warehouse Project, and Morning After Mix Live.
Listeners will hear live music, highlights and interviews across the four days from 6 Music presenters including Nick Grimshaw, the new Breakfast Show host from Monday 24th February (weekdays 7-10am) and Lauren Laverne, who begins her new mid-morning show (weekdays 10am-1pm) on the same day.
A 6 Music Festival Channel will launch on BBC iPlayer on Monday 17th March with classic festival performances from previous years. From Saturday 29th March, the channel will see the station’s presenters bring viewers back-to-back performance highlights and live sets from this year’s event.
Ezra Collective say: “2016 was the first time we ever got played on the station. Gilles Peterson gave us that precious moment. Since then it’s been a deep love for 6 Music, so to be in Manchester headlining their festival is a deep honour. See you on the dance floor.”
Fat Dog say: “Woof, woof 6 Music. Yet again proving your impeccable taste by inviting us to play your festival. We can’t wait. Going beast mode for this one.”
Mogwai say: “We are immensely excited to return to the 6 Music Festival and Manchester this year. 6 Music have always been champions of independent music and ourselves and it’s an honour to be part of this year’s celebration.”
English Teacher say: “The band wouldn’t be what it is without 6 Music and without Manchester. This is going to be a very special celebration.”
Kae Tempest says: “I’ve got a new album and I can’t wait for people to hear it. BBC Radio 6 Music have been such a crucial supporter of my music, I can’t wait for listeners to hear this new direction and for me to be able to say thank you to them for giving me so much over the years.”
Perfume Genius says: “I’m so excited to bring these new songs to the UK and especially the 6 Music Fest. Thank you for all your support over the years!”
Nick Grimshaw says: “I’m really excited for my first 6 Music Festival. I can’t wait to be back home in Manchester to take the new show up there for a few days in March and bring you the most brilliant of line ups.”
Lauren Laverne says: “I’m thrilled to be back in plenty of time for our biggest moment of the year – the 6 Music Festival. The artists always put together something special just for us and the listeners, which is such a privilege. I’m looking forward to another trip to Greater Manchester with my new show to see what they have in store!”
Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music says: “We’re delighted to bring listeners back to back performances and DJ sets from such a range of local, national and international artists. It’s a joy to host a live experience that reflects the breadth of music we play around the clock on our station and to celebrate the region that it’s rooted in.”
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham says: “It’s great to have the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival back in Greater Manchester. Our music scene has always been strong, but right now, there’s an incredible amount of new talent coming through, alongside a thriving independent scene.
“Upcoming and alternative artists need more chances to be heard, and that’s why platforms like this festival matter. BBC Radio 6 Music has long championed new and alternative artists, and it’s great to see more opportunities for emerging musicians to reach new audiences.”
Tickets to each event are sold separately and will be available from www.bbc.co.uk/6musicfestival at 10am on Thursday 6th February.
LINE-UP IN FULL
Wednesday 26th March – BBC Introducing at YES (7pm): Adult DVD, Renee Stormz, jasmine.4.t
Thursday 27th March – 6 Music Festival Presents… Ezra Collective + Fat Dog + 6 Music’s Jamz Supernova (DJ set) at Victoria Warehouse Manchester (6.30pm)
New Music Fix Live at YES (10pm): DJ sets from 1-800 GIRLS, Florentino, Marie Davidson and NAINA
Friday 28th March – 6 Music Festival Presents… Mogwai + English Teacher + 6 Music’s Tom Ravenscroft (DJ set) at Victoria Warehouse Manchester (6.30pm)
Indie Forever Live at Band on the Wall (9pm): DJ sets from Sports Team DJs, Lava La Rue, Steve Lamacq, Viagra Boys and Nathan Shepherd
6 Music Festival & The Warehouse Project present Rave Forever at Amber’s – which embraces a ‘no phones’ policy to encourage everyone to engage fully with the music – (11pm): DJ sets from Ayy Den, nora, Anish Kumar and SBTRKT
Saturday 29th March – Morning After Mix Live at YES (12pm): DJ sets from Jamz Supernova and Emma-Jean Thackray
6 Music Festival Presents… Kae Tempest + Perfume Genius + 6 Music DJ SHERELLE (DJ set) at Victoria Warehouse Manchester (6.30pm)
