The first acts for this year’s BBC Radio 6 Music Festival lineup have been announced with Young Fathers, Gossip and The Smile, featuring Radiohead legends Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, all confirmed as the headline acton an absolutely stacked roster.
With the lineup being announced live on-air by Lauren Laverne earlier this week, the headliners are set to play the iconic old Warehouse Project venue across the three days.
Other big names include Hak Baker, Jordan Rakei and DJ Seinfeld, as well as rising local artists Porij, Witch Fever and the DJ collective Not Bad For A Girl.
There will be further shows like BBC Music Introducing night at Band on the Wall and a debut appearance at YES for the ‘New Music Fix Live’ at YES, as well as club nights at Band on the Wall, Archive and Depot Mayfield.
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There are also ‘Morning After Mix’ Live events set for Saturday and Sunday dates at RAMONA, with 6 Music host Jamz Supernova broadcasting her show live from the venue on Saturday 9 March (1pm-4pm) — including a live DJ set from Konny Kon (Children of Zeus) — and Cerys Matthews presenting from RAMONA on Sunday (10am-1pm), also featuring a live DJ set from Femi Koleoso of Ezra Collective.
Speaking on their headline slot, Young Fathers said, “A 6 Music stage has been given to us and the door of endless possibilities has been opened. Beyond anything else, it will be a night to celebrate a wide mix of folk coming together. GERONIMO!”
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Another act who is beyond stoked to be playing the festival is CMAT, who added: “My performance at the 6 Music Festival will be the best show you’ll see in your whole entire life! Expect camp, gay people, energy, country music as well as mediocre guitar playing from me and very good guitar playing from other people.”
With shows starting from as early as 10am and running all the way up to 3am the following morning, the four-day festival, which starts on Thursday, 7 March and concludes on Sunday, 10 March, is practically going be non-stop music from some of the biggest and best up and coming artists all weekend.
You can find the full lineup, schedule and stage splits across the multiple venues hosting this year’s festival HERE.
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Tickets go live from 10am on Thursday, 18 January and, unsurprisingly, they’re set to fly, so grab yours HERE whilst you can.
Featured Images — WFUV Public Radio (via Flickr)/Gossip (via IG)/The Smile (via IG)
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Legendary pop duo Erasure announces huge Manchester arena gig on 2027 UK tour
Emily Sergeant
Legendary pop duo Erasure have announced a UK arena tour next spring, and they’re set to stop off in Manchester.
Andy Bell and Vince Clarke – better known by their duo name, Erasure – have announced details of their long-awaited upcoming 20th studio album today, titled Radio!! Radio!!, alongside details of an arena tour in spring 2027 across the UK and Europe.
Described as a ‘deeply personal’ project, the BRIT and Ivor Novello award-winning duo’s first new studio album in six years sees Bell and Clarke continue to refine and deepen the pop catalogue they’ve been building over the past 40 years.
The album will be comprised of a set of songs about love, loss, and injustice that they hope speaks to our ’empathy-starved times’.
Erasure will take to the road in 2027 for an arena tour that kicks off at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on 25 April before travelling throughout the UK, including a stop in Manchester at the AO Arena on 1 May, before finishing off in London and heading over to Europe, with more dates to follow.
Vince Clarke will be Musical Director for the tour, but will not be appearing onstage alongside Andy Bell, it has been revealed.
Bell says: “I’m so pleased that we were able to find a way for the tour to work for Vince. He’s always too modest but he’s so much more than the Musical Director, Vince is one of the great loves of my life and everything we do as Erasure we decide together.”
Erasure will be performing at the AO Arena in Manchester on 1 May 2027, and tickets go on presale this Thursday 1 October at 10am, before general sale begins a day later (2 October) also at 10am.
Sir Rod Stewart announces Manchester gig on final ever tour
Daisy Jackson
Sir Rod Stewart has announced his final ever tour, with the legendary singer set to perform in Manchester along with some of Europe’s biggest arenas in 2027.
The ‘The Final Encore’ tour will mark the end of a live career spanning more than six decades, with Stewart kicking off the run in Dublin next spring before heading across the UK and Europe.
The music icon will be heading to the Co-op Live in May next year, with support from synth-pop pioneer Howard Jones.
Announcing the tour, Rod Stewart said: “The time has come to say farewell to life on the road. After more than six decades, The Final Encore will most definitely be my last.
“I’ve been singing the music I love since I was 19 years old, and I’ve had the privilege of taking it around the world to all of you. It has given me a life beyond anything I could ever have imagined, and I hope I’ve given you some fond memories in return.
“I hope you’ll join me so I can thank you the best way I know how… with the music and one hell of a show. See you there.”
The Final Encore is expected to feature many of Stewart’s biggest songs, including Maggie May, You Wear It Well, Tonight’s the Night, Hot Legs, Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, Young Turks, Baby Jane, Forever Young, You’re in My Heart, Rhythm of My Heart, The First Cut Is the Deepest, Sailing and Have I Told You Lately.
Credit: Denise Truscello Credit: Jonathan Kammen 2007
Stewart has sold more than 250 million records and singles worldwide and has amassed 31 UK Top 10 singles, including six number ones. His career has also seen him inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice and named a Grammy Living Legend.
His touring career has been just as remarkable, with Stewart having performed for an estimated 20 million fans around the world.
That includes his famous Guinness World Record-setting performance on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, where an estimated 3.5 million people watched him perform, as well as a 13-year, 200-show residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Now, after more than 60 years on stage, Stewart is preparing to bring the curtain down on his touring career.
General release tickets for Rod Stewart’s The Final Encore will go on sale from 10am on Friday 2 October, with a number of presales taking place in the days prior.
Rod Stewart will perform in Manchester one last time on Thursday 6 May 2027 – tickets will go on sale HERE.
Danny Jones -
18th January 2024 
