The end of March is spring, and spring means 6 Music Festival, right? Pulling us out of a long winter and idle stay at home seasonal habits, and back into the rhythm of gigs and festivals again.
In its first few years, BBC Radio 6 Music‘s annual get together took in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Cardiff, and since 2023 finds a settled home in Greater Manchester. Located in venues across the region, this year’s line up welcomes Ezra Collective, Fat Dog, Mogwai, Mercury Music Prize-winners English Teacher, Perfume Genius, Kae Tempest, BBC Introducing, 6 Music DJs and more.
On the festival’s opening day this year, 6 Music late afternoon presenter Huw Stephens broadcasts his show from YES in Manchester city centre, then hosts the BBC Introducing event at the venue afterwards, continuing both he and 6 Music’s commitment to nurturing the new and emerging. Huw joined the alternative music station five years ago, sitting in for presenters initially before taking over in January 2024 from Steve Lamacq. 6 Music is a unique radio station on many levels, and Huw himself was an avid listener before he joined the team.
‘I’ve been listening to the station since it started. Actually, I used to call 6 Music the best radio station in the world when I was on Radio One,’ he confirms over a Zoom call from Cardiff. ‘And I meant it. I just thought it was a fantastic radio station and really important as well. And it’s still true. I think every time you listen, you hear something interesting, informative, a classic or an old song that you might have missed, a new song that you’ve never heard before. I still listen, because I love it still.’
The festival takes place at YES, Manchester Victoria Warehouse, and Band on the Wall, with radio shows also broadcasting from MediaCity in Salford. The combination of familiar bands and artists, others on an upward trajectory, and newbies finding their feet through BBC Introducing sums up, says Huw, the very essence of 6 Music.
‘6 Music is so loved, and we have amazing listeners who appreciate the station. To highlight some of the artists who we play at a festival is a really special thing to do,’ he says. ‘I suppose for me it’s a yearly meetup of what 6 Music is about. It’s the manifestation of the station, the yearly time where everyone at 6 Music and listeners can meet up and see some of the bands and artists that we’ve been championing. And, of course, if you can’t be there, then it’s all broadcast on air.’
The BBC Introducing gig features Adult DVD, Renee Stormz, and jasmine.4.t . YES, with The Pink Room up top and the smaller basement downstairs is a favourite on the national touring circuit for newer artists. So many bands’ early experiences of playing in Manchester have been here. Adwaith and Ynys, double Welsh Music Prize winners and shortlisted respectively, just two examples springing to mind. Huw was present at YES’s opening weekend back in 2018, featuring A Certain Ratio, The Goon Sax, Let’s Eat Grandma. ‘Weirdly, I just happened to be in Manchester, and so I saw some great bands,’ he says. ‘I saw Black MIDI play downstairs in the basement.’ Whilst Black MIDI went on to fill larger spaces as their career progressed it is important says Huw, to focus on the music itself when viewing new artists. Labelling a band the next big thing for example, is not helpful and can be counterproductive.
‘New music is the music and what it sounds like and what it means and what it does to people. Everything beyond that is down to luck and chance. Good and bad luck and chance, in that some bands go on to become headliners, some bands split up,’ he says.
A band doesn’t have to sell piles of records, boast massive Spotify streams and headline arenas or even mid sized rooms to be valid, and appreciated. Every music lover has albums that didn’t set the world alight but are valuable to them personally.
‘I think it’s about the record and it’s about the journey that a band or an artist is on. It puts unrealistic pressure on artists, because if you don’t become the next big thing, after being told that you’re going to be by certain media outlets, then you might be disheartened. I don’t think we’ve ever done that at 6 Music, BBC Introducing has never done that, just supported great music that we believe in.’
Sometimes bands go on to become successful, of course, he adds. But in music nobody ever comes and gives you a certificate and says ‘you’ve made it, you can relax now’.
‘Music is something that people want to create for forever, or not. Because sometimes you only hear one great song or one great record from an artist, and you never hear anything else and that’s fine. There’s no prize at the end. There’s no promises of riches or guaranteed success. Because what does that even mean now?’
The live music experience, whether at a festival or a standalone gig, is precious. We as an audience take away elements and become culturally enriched, and creatively enriched. It’s a very unique and special thing.
‘Very special,’ Huw agrees. ‘We’ve just done the state of independent venues week in January on 6 Music and after all the speeches at the BRIT Awards over the weekend and the government finally listening to campaigns and the Music Venue Trust, everyone’s starting to realize that they need real support.’
6 Music’s relationship with its audience is famously strong. How does Huw view the connection with his listeners?
‘We’re all music fans. At 6 Music all the presenters are obsessed with music and we’re always listening to records and other people’s shows and going to gigs and festivals,’ he replies simply. ‘It’s what we do, and it’s what we love and the listeners are exactly the same as us. It’s one big family. It’s all about listening and recommending records to a friend. It is a special relationship. And we take it very, very seriously.’
When he’s out and about getting on with his day, or at gigs Huw gets feedback from listeners he meets about what they think of 6 Music. People tell him if they didn’t like a feature or were especially interested in a certain interview. He takes it all on board. ‘I think it’s really important to listen to criticism and ideas. It’s about trust, and working our way through the day with lots of great music. I love the feedback. I love hearing bad stuff. I love criticism of things on my radio shows!’
John Peel famously brushed his teeth before he went on air. Does Huw do this? Is it commonplace at 6 Music?
‘I know Mary Anne Hobbs used to before the Breezeblock on Radio One. I don’t actually, because I’m on air at 4pm and I tend to brush my teeth morning, night, and if I’m home at lunchtime. But not at 4pm!’
6 Music’s T Shirt Day happens later in the year, but while Huw is here it feels right to put him on the spot. What is his favourite band t shirt? Which does he wear more than any other?
‘I’m not wearing a band t shirt today,’ he laughs, checking his chest anyway, just in case. ‘I like to switch them up. I bought a Mellt t-shirt (at the Trawsnewid : Transform festival in Aberystwyth in February), and to support them, because they’re off to New York and South by Southwest. I bought a lovely Mellt long sleeve t shirt. So that’s my favorite one at the moment!’
6 Music feels a gathering of music nerds, both behind the microphone and those at home, on air and off, does that sound right to him?
‘I think that’s a great analysis. Music is constantly giving and full of surprises. And you know, everybody who’s into music knows that it’s never ending, and if you like music, then you‘re sorted for life in a way. I guess that’s the beauty of 6 because every time you switch it on, you want to hear something brilliant. And that’s what we try to do.’
Huw Stephens presents Tuesdays-Fridays (4-7pm) on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds and will broadcast from the 6 Music Festival in Greater Manchester (26th – 29th March). For tickets, visit bbc.co.uk/6musicfestival
Those who do not attend in person can tune in to 6 Music to hear live music, highlights and interviews across the four days, and watch select performances live on iPlayer. BBC Four will broadcast highlights from the festival on Friday April 4.
From Saturday March 29, the new 6 Music Festival channel on iPlayer will see the station’s presenters bring viewers back-to-back performance highlights and live sets from this year’s event. It will also broadcast sets from previous years from Monday March 17. Find more information here.
Photo credit:
Huw Stephens : Patrick Olner
English Teacher : Tatiana Pozuelo
Fat Dog: Beverley Craddock
Adult DVD: Matthew Henderson-Newbury
