BBC Radio 6 Music Festival unveils new Manchester grassroots venue format

BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is back in Manchester this March, but the festival’s format looks very different this time out.

From Wed 25 Mar – Sat 28 Mar, the much-loved festival will take over some of the city’s most iconic grassroots venues, including Band on the Wall, YES and, new for this year, the Eccles Town Hall Ballroom.

Some of the artists performing at BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2026 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.

There will also be DJ sets from Beth Ditto & Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam & Nathan Shepherd, Lambrini Girls and Steve Lamacq as part of an Indie Forever club night, as well as sets from The Knife’s Olof Dreijer, Aiden Francis and Fig at a partnership event with Homobloc, and performances from Lauren Auder, Naima Bock and R.AGGS as part of a partnership event with FaT OuT.

Check out the live performances coming to BBC Radio 6 Music Festival below:

Wed 25 Mar

BBC Introducing

• TTSSFU + Pyncher + Ellen Beth Adbi at Band on the Wall from 7pm

Thu 26 Mar

• Kelly Lee Owens (DJ set) + Wesley Joseph at Band on the Wall from 7pm
• Mandy, Indiana + SILVERWINGKILLER at YES from 7pm

Fri 27 Mar

• 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

Sat 28 Mar

• 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

Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music says: “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.”

Nick Grimshaw says: “So excited to be back at the 6 Music Festival in Manchester. 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!”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says: “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.”

Tickets to each event are sold separately and will be available from 10am on Thu 12 Feb.