More stations join in with the BBC Airwaves Festival

More local BBC Radio stations are taking part in an online festival launched by BBC Radio Wiltshire last year.

Seventeen stations in total will be promoting the event, which will feature Rag n Bone Man and Texas as headline acts.

It’s running from Friday 28th May to Monday 31st May 2021.

BBC Radio Wiltshire Station Editor Mary Sanders said: “We’re so excited to be bringing ‘Airwaves’ to our listeners again this year. The Coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on music festivals all over the country, with many being scaled back or cancelled again.

“This is a great opportunity for us to celebrate all the brilliant local talent we have, as well as enjoying headliner sets from some amazing artists. We can’t wait to share the Airwaves weekend with you.”

Each station will run a bespoke on-air and online festival for their audience, featuring a number of areas to dip into such as the BBC Introducing Stage, the Comedy Tent, the Upload Stage and the Kids Zone.

Listeners are encouraged to dress up in festival fashion and camp in the garden, whilst getting involved with all the entertainment on offer, such as DJ dance sets, cookery demos and even meditations.

Head of Audio and Digital for BBC England Chris Burns added: “I’m delighted Airwaves is back and even bigger. Since the pandemic began local radio has helped people navigate their way through the lockdown and become a friend to all. We have provided trusted news but Airwaves is a great example of the entertainment and escapism we have provided too.”

Station taking part at time of publication are:

• BBC Radio Bristol
• BBC Radio Cornwall
• BBC Radio Devon
• BBC Radio Gloucestershire
• BBC Radio Guernsey
• BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester
• BBC Radio Jersey
• BBC Radio Kent
• BBC Radio Lincolnshire
• BBC Radio London
• BBC Radio Norfolk
• BBC Radio Nottingham
• BBC Radio Surrey
• BBC Radio Sussex
• BBC Radio Tees
• BBC Radio Wiltshire
• BBC Radio WM