The BBC’s radio stations will play a central role in a wide-ranging summer of music programming across the corporation.
BBC Music has announced a schedule of live performances, festival broadcasts, documentaries and special programmes running throughout the summer, with coverage across radio, television and online platforms.
Radio 1, Radio 2, 1Xtra, 6 Music and Asian Network will all feature in major events around the UK. Planned coverage includes Radio 1 at Reading & Leeds, Radio 1 in Ibiza and Malta, 1Xtra Salutes Carnival, Asian Network Certified, Boomtown, Parklife and 6 Music at Green Man.
Radio 2 in the Park will return from Stirling in September, with Chaka Khan and Simple Minds among the headline acts already announced.
BBC Radio 2 will also continue its support for folk music through the return of 21st Century Folk. The series will feature new songs from artists including Martin Simpson, Katherine Priddy, Eddi Reader and John Douglas, Passenger and Megson.
BBC Introducing is expanding its talent development work with new partnerships in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The initiative will continue supporting emerging artists through festival appearances and international opportunities.
Among the wider BBC Music plans are performances from artists including Charli xcx and Sam Smith, alongside documentaries exploring figures such as Madonna, David Bowie, Wham! and The Smiths.
BBC Radio 6 Music’s Artist in Residence strand will feature Foo Fighters, Honey Dijon, James Blake, beabadoobee and Robyn.
As Glastonbury takes a fallow year, audiences will be able to revisit archive performances through a collection of 40 Glastonbury Gems on BBC Two and a dedicated iPlayer stream featuring sets from artists including Amy Winehouse, Elton John, Dolly Parton and Stormzy.
Lorna Clarke, BBC Director of Music, said: “The BBC is the home of music and this summer we are bringing audiences together for an unmissable line up of exciting live performances, special programming, new documentaries and front row access to festivals and events across the country.”
