BBC Radio 6 Music Festival Heads to Newcastle in March 2027
BBC Radio 6 Music has announced that the next 6 Music Festival will take place in Newcastle from Monday 15th – Friday 19th March 2027.
The station’s annual, flagship event will be held at some of Newcastle’s most loved independent and grassroots venues, bringing our audience five days of performances and DJ sets from a range of both new and established artists, including a night in collaboration with BBC Introducing.
Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music, says: “For the next chapter of the 6 Music Festival, we will take our celebration of independent and grassroots venues to Newcastle. The city and the region have such a rich musical legacy and a thriving creative community, which will make for another wonderful setting. We look forward to sharing more details in the months ahead.
“Greater Manchester has been a huge part of the 6 Music Festival story - particularly over the last three years. We've welcomed artists, audiences and the 6 Music presenters for some truly memorable moments, and we'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to the people and the places who have hosted us.”
Lauren Laverne says: “Fresh from the Mercury Prize taking place in Newcastle for the second year, I'm thrilled that the 6 Music Festival will be heading back to the city in March. Having grown up in the North East, I know just how much music means to people here and the important role it plays in local culture and communities. It's fantastic to see the festival return to the North East, and I can't wait to join listeners, artists and presenters for what promises to be a brilliant celebration of live music.”
Jim Mawdsley, Principal Advisor, Events and Culture, Newcastle City Council says: “It’s fantastic that the 6 Music Festival is returning to Newcastle once again. Since it was last here, Newcastle has become a true music city with many of our artists being recognised not least by awards like the Mercury Prize which has shortlisted Sam Fender, Jade and Knats in the last two years, but there is a real collaborative spirit in the City and North East region that is definitely making us stronger, and we believe that our moment is now. The 6 Music Festival will shine a light on the amazing grass roots venues and promoters we have in the city that are a vital and essential part of both the eco and artist support systems. Music is a vital element of our cultural lifeblood, and we can’t wait to welcome 6 Music listeners to learn more about how vibrant the city has become.”
The full line-up and venues will be announced in 2027.
Highlights will also be broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds, as well as on BBC Music’s YouTube channel.
About the 6 Music Festival
Since it began in 2014, the 6 Music Festival has taken place all over the UK, including Greater Manchester, Tyneside, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Camden (London) and Cardiff and has seen performances from artists including Anna Calvi, Arlo Parks, Bombay Bicycle Club, Christine and the Queens, Depeche Mode, Ezra Collective, Goldfrapp, Gossip, Hot Chip, Johnny Marr, Kae Tempest, Khruangbin, Little Simz, Loyle Carner, Mogwai, Pixies, Primal Scream, Róisín Murphy, Self Esteem, The Smile, Wet Leg, Young Fathers and many more.
In 2026, the festival saw performances from Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett, Jacob Alon, Kelly Lee Owens, Lynks, Mandy, Indiana, SILVERWINGKILLER, Sorry, The Horrors, Tiberius b, Wesley Joseph and Yard Act, alongside a BBC Introducing showcase and club nights across Greater Manchester.
The festival previously took place on Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead) in 2015.
About BBC Radio 6 Music
With a reach of 2.59m listeners (RAJAR Q2, 2026), 6 Music is the UK’s biggest digital-only radio station. It brings a broad range of music and culture beyond the mainstream to music lovers with a curious spirit, combining the cutting-edge music of today with the iconic, ground-breaking sounds of the past 50 years. Presenters include AFRODEUTSCHE, Beth Ditto, Cerys Matthews, Chris Hawkins, Craig Charles, Deb Grant, Don Letts, Emily Pilbeam, Femi Koleoso, Gideon Coe, Gilles Peterson, Guy Garvey, Huw Stephens, Iggy Pop, Jamz Supernova, Jarvis Cocker, Lauren Laverne, Marc Riley, Mark Radcliffe, Mary Anne Hobbs, Matt Everitt, Nathan Shepherd, Nick Grimshaw, SHERELLE, Steve Lamacq, Stuart Maconie and Zakia.
Image: Nathan Shepherd and Deb Grant / Credit BBC Radio 6 Music and Chris Bethell
