6 Music Festival 2027 heads to Newcastle

6 Music presenters Nathan Shepherd and Deb Grant standing below the Tyne Bridge which is covered by some scaffolding. The camera is slightly below them and they are looking down. Shepherd is holding a black circular sign which reads BBC Radio 6 Music Festival in pink and white lettering. He has brown, short hair and is wearing large glasses, a black leather jacket on top of a green jumper and shirt. Grant is on the right and has long, dark hair with a full fringe. She is smiling and standing slightly on an angle and wearing a black leather jacket with her hands in the pockets. The River Tyne is on the right and look calm. The Glasshouse can just be seen in between the presenters.

BBC Radio 6 Music has announced the 2027 edition of its annual festival will take place in Newcastle.

After four years in Greater Manchester, the festival will take place across Newcastle's independent and grassroots venues in March with five days of performances and DJ sets.

Tyneside last hosted the festival in 2015 but principal advisor for events and culture at Newcastle City Council, Jim Mawdsley, said since then "Newcastle has become a true music city".

Head of BBC Radio 6 Music Samantha Moy said: "The city and the region have such a rich musical legacy and a thriving creative community, which will make for another wonderful setting."

Newcastle has enjoyed recent success with national music events, having just hosted the Mercury Prize for the second year in a row.

The city also hosted the MOBO Awards in 2025.

The 6 Music Festival has been running since 2014 and initially was a roving event, moving around the country each year before settling in Manchester in 2023.

Raye standing on stage holding a small, silver trophy. She is laughing with a big smile on her face and wearing a green, feathered dress. She has dark, short hair and is holding a microphone. There is a podium in front of her with a circular sign which reads 2026 Mercury Prize Newcastle. There is a large screen to the left which shows Raye with her eyes closed and smiling.

6 Music presenter Lauren Laverne said: "Having grown up in the North East, I know just how much music means to people here and the important role it plays in local culture and communities.

"It's fantastic to see the festival return to the North East, and I can't wait to join listeners, artists and presenters for what promises to be a brilliant celebration of live music."

In 2026, the festival saw performances from the likes of Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett and Jacob Alon.

Mawdsley said: "Since it was last here, Newcastle has become a true music city with many of our artists being recognised not least by awards like the Mercury Prize, which has shortlisted Sam Fender, Jade and Knats in the last two years, but there is a real collaborative spirit in the city.

"We believe that our moment is now.

"Music is a vital element of our cultural lifeblood, and we can't wait to welcome 6 Music listeners to learn more about how vibrant the city has become."

6 Music Festival 2027 will take place 15-19 March and the full lineup and venues will be announced next year.

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