If you think about it, its quite a big deal the 6 Music festival coming to this region. Its only in it’s second year and the first one was held in Manchester (the musical capital of the North?). So surely this is a huge vote of confidence by 6 Music here.
For those who don’t know about the festival, its a bit like like R1’s Big Weekend, but only better! 6 Music has seen a remarkable surge in popularity since it was almost threatened with the axe in 2010. Since then it’s listening figures have steadily increased, with just a few weeks ago it being reported that 6 Music had hit 2 million weekly listeners, eclipsing radio 3, and reaching unprecedented heights for a digital only radio station. It features and has featured in the past shows by Iggy Pop, Guy Garvey and Jarvis Cocker, as well as the staples: Lauren Laverne, Craig Charles and Steve Lamacq. It’s presenters and producers receive unrivalled freedom in what they play. In my opinion it is the greatest radio station of them all.
The first 6 Music festival was held last year in Manchester and featured names such as the National, James Blake, Haim and Kelis. Surely this year’s can’t compete with that?….
well…..
Mogwai, The War on Drugs, Jamie T, Neneh Cherry, Jon Hopkins, Father John Misty, Gruff Rhys, Hot Chip, Jamie xx, Four Tet, Sleater-Kinney, Kate Tempest, Interpol, Royal Blood, Maximo Park, Young Fathers, The Fall, Wire, Public Service Broadcasting, Villagers, Jungle, The Cribs, The Charlatans, Django Django, The Maccabees, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and many more would beg to differ (or not depending on their modesty…)
The festival is spread across 4 main events, and starts this Friday, ending on Sunday. (three whole days of fun and sun on tyneside, minus the sun…)
Friday night at the O2 Academy in Newcastle features the stellar line up: Interpol, Sleater-Kinney, The War on Drugs, and Mogwai. The anticipation is huge and what an incredible way to kick off the festival.
Saturday night at the Sage brings performances by Welsh singer-songwriter Gruff Rhys, London electronic pop superstars Hot Chip (with bags full of new exciting material), Spoken word mistress Kate Tempest and 2014 break out giants Royal Blood. Other personal highlights include Father John Misty (who for sure will provide a surreal performance not to be missed, see his Letterman performance for example), Django Django (Dance-y rhythm geniuses) and alternative rock seminal The Fall.
Saturday late at the Boiler Shop teams Jamie xx in a line up with Four Tet for a night of electronic dance music never to forget. 6 Music DJs Giles Peterson and Mary Ann Hobbs will also join in on the action.
Sunday night at the Sage brings the return of Jamie T, of the Charlatans and of Wire. The ever relevant Neneh Cherry will be there, as well as this year’s Mercury prize winners Young Fathers. Public Service Broadcasting and Jon Hopkins will no doubt bring the party to the close of the festival. And who could forget the Maccabees? or Unknown Mortal Orchestra? or British Sea Power? or King Creosote?……
(For the Full Line Up see the bottom of the page)
Oh and there there’s some stuff going on during the days. 6 Music presenters will be talking to a load of people, like John Cooper Clarke, Bryan Ferry, artists performing, artist not performing. I even think the team from Viz will be there…(details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1bJ9sGJgqCSwRpPsm412RvS/6-music-by-day-saturday)
But wait, I haven’t got a ticket!
Well I have, so what’s the problem?….(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoXfiSU_wqE)
…..Well actually you can watch it at home….
The BBC are putting the videos from the concert online, on iPlayer and the 6 Music website, as well having a live blog, broadcasting live on the radio (6 Music obviously) and give you access through the red button (seemingly for those of you either living in the 20th century or too lazy to get off the sofa).
Details of the Red Button schedule are as follows:
Friday 20 February – 10.30pm – 6 Music Festival Preview
Saturday 21 February – 9.10pm – Mogwai & Interpol
Sunday 22 February – 10.00pm – Royal Blood & Jungle
Monday 23 February – 7.30pm – Charlatans & Hot Chip
Tuesday 24 February – 10.30pm – Jamie T & Kate Tempest
Wednesday 25 February – 7.30pm – Neneh Cherry & Sleater-Kinney
Thursday 26 February – 7.30pm – Maximo Park & Jon Hopkins
Friday 27 February – 9.30pm – Gaz Coombes & Gruff Rhys
Saturday 28 February – 10.00pm – The Fall & Wire
So there you go, huge news for the region and a bit of brilliant music for weekend…
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Here’s the Line Up you were after!
Friday Night at the O2 Academy, Newcastle
Mogwai
Interpol
Sleater-Kinney
The War on Drugs
Saturday at the Sage, Gateshead
Gruff Rhys
Jungle
Simian Mobile Disco
Villagers
Kate Tempest and Eliza McCarthy
Hot Chip
Royal Blood
Kate Tempest
The Fall
Maximo Park
The Cribs
Django Django
Ibibio Sound Machine
Father John Misty
Ghostpoet
Cragi Charles
Stuart Maconie
Ady Croasdell
Richard Searling
Saturday Late at the Boiler Shop
Jamie xx
Four Tet
Giles Peterson
Mary Ann Hobbs
Sunday night at the Sage, Gateshead
Jon Hopkins
Public Service Broadcasting
Young Fathers
Wire
King Creosote
The Charlatans
Jamie T
Neneh Cherry
Gaz Coombes
British Sea Power
Maccabees
Teleman
Glass Animals
LoneLady
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Nemone
Rob Da Bank
DJ Yoda
Richy Ahmed
Daniel Avery