On Air (2023) [6 Music Festival Live]

Cerys finds out more about Manchester-based poetry project Young Identity from their executive director Nicole May and poet SAF-S2E. They run free weekly writing and performance workshops across Manchester for young people aged 13-25 led by poets and established spoken word performers.

Arlo Parks started out writing poetry before putting her words to music. Her debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams won the Mercury Prize in 2021, the same year she won the Brit Award for Breakthrough Artist. Ahead of headlining the 6 Music Festival, Arlo recalls the moment a crowd first sang her songs back to her and tells Cerys about the music that's shaped her life from Elliott Smith to Otis Redding.

Expect an eclectic mix of Cerys' favourite new music mixed with timeless vintage records and sounds from around the world and artists with connections with Greater Manchester. Plus Cosmo Sheldrake gives Cerys the first play of his new song where he imagines what it would be like to be a whale surrounded by the sounds of the ocean and the creatures in it.

Cerys is live from Salford as part of this year's 6 Music Festival and chats to Arlo Parks

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Also on the show, we look for your all-time favourite B-sides for Flipside Thursday, and the mighty Trunk of Punk returns.

Chris Hawkins explores 200 years of Manchester's music and social history.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

We also relive the bests of Antony Szmierek's set at the BBC Introducing showcase at Band on the Wall, and Loyle Carner's stunning performance with the AMC Gospel Choir at the 02 Victoria Warehouse.

Craig Charles catches up with Erol Alkan and Lava La Rue ahead of their performances.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Gilles brings you the 6 Music Festival vibes.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Plus Jamz has voice notes from Balraj of Swing Ting and Manchester music collectives 'Partisan' 'Mi Gusta' and 'Shifting Spheres' and she catches up with Joe Goddard as he gets his records together before jumping on the train up to Manchester to perform at the Rave Forever night at Victoria Warehouse.

Jamz is Live from 6 Music Festival with Strategy in the studio and Tarzsa in for a B2B.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

They are joined by guests including rock band The Big Moon and Manchester multi-instrumentalist Good Future to discuss their 6 Music Festival appearances. Musician and fellow 6 Music presenter Don Letts also joins them ahead of his DJ set at Victoria Warehouse as part of the festival's final evening.

They also hear from Egg of Manchester band Porij and Glass Animals' Dave Bayley, who talk about their admiration for festival performer Arlo Parks. Plus there's a top blend of music old and new as well as live performance highlights from Antony Szmierek.

Mark and Stuart broadcast live from Salford for the 6 Music Festival, with special guests.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Steve will be joined by John Shepherd from the venue and Sascha Lord, the Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester, to discuss the city's grassroots venues and the history of Band on the Wall. The Lathums also join live for a chat, and BBC Introducing Presenter Roesh gives us the low down on some of the new music in the City that we should be listening out for.

Also, Steve has brand new and exclusive music from TRIBES.

This year's BBC Radio 6 Music Festival will take place in Greater Manchester, with performances from Loyle Carner featuring a brand new collaboration with the AMC Gospel Choir from Manchester (Friday 24 March), Christine and the Queens - the global premiere of his new live show (Saturday 25 March) and Arlo Parks - the global premiere of new music, with special guests (Sunday 26 March). Further live performances will come from Wu-Lu, Lava La Rue and The Big Moon.

There will also be DJ sets across the weekend from AFRODEUTSCHE, Erol Alkan, Daniel Avery, Don Letts, Good Future, Hot Chip, Jamz Supernova, Steve Lamacq, Tarzsa, The Charlatans' Tim Burgess, Yard Act and BBC Introducing DJs Emily Pilbeam and Phoebe I-H.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “We are delighted to welcome the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival to Manchester. There is a rich musical heritage in Greater Manchester, and a real pride in the independent music scene, and as BBC Radio 6 Music has always supported new and alternative artists, it's a perfect fit for the festival to have its permanent home in the city for the years to come. There's so much new Greater Manchester music out there right now that deserves to be heard, which is why we started Artist of the Month with BBC Radio Manchester, and like BBC Radio 6 Music, we want to give emerging talent a platform. ?

Steve is live from Manchester's Band on the Wall ahead of tonight's BBC Introducing show.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Alongside all this, Loyle Carner superfan comedian Romesh Ranganathan joins to tell us about his love for the man and his music.

And then, to wrap up the programme, the last hour is a Free For All Special - Stories from the City - as the people of Manchester choose an hour of music that showcases this incredible city, from music that reminds them of Manchester to some of the best Manchester gigs they've seen over the years.

Steve is live in Salford with the Tea Time Anthem search.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

The excitement in the studio is palpable as we get excited for the best weekend in the calendar - the 6 Music Festival.

Plus BBC Introducing's Emily Pilbeam joins Chris for a back to back awesome segue ahead of her kicking off Indie Forever at Band On The Wall.

BBC Introducing's Emily Pilbeam joins Chris for a back to back awesome segue.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.

Celebrating live music with new and classic performances from 6 Music.