Manchester's BBC 6 Music Fest: Indie Vibes, Big Names & Electric Nights!

BBC Radio 6 Music has announced that its annual live music festival will take place across several independent venues in Greater Manchester this March. The four-day festival will run from March 25 to March 28, bringing a variety of live performances to well-known grassroots venues such as Band on the Wall, YES, and Eccles Town Hall Ballroom. The line-up features popular bands like Bloc Party and The Horrors, as well as DJs including Nick Grimshaw. Grimshaw expressed his excitement about the event, saying that independent venues are essential for culture and give artists the freedom to experiment and grow. He said he can't wait to be part of the festival.

The festival kicks off on Wednesday, March 25, at 7:00 PM at Band on the Wall, with performances from TTSSFU, pyncher, and Ellen Beth Abdi. On Thursday, March 26, DJ Kelly Lee Owens and Wesley Joseph will perform at Band on the Wall, while Mandy, Indiana and SILVERWINGKILLER will take the stage at YES. Friday, March 27, will see Bloc Party and The Horrors performing at Band on the Wall, and Yard Act and Sorry at YES. That night, YES will also host the Indie Forever club night, featuring Steve Lamacq, Beth Ditto, Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam, Nathan Shepherd, and Lambrini Girls, starting at midnight.

On Saturday, March 28, the festival continues with Lauren Auder, Naima Bock, and R. AGGS at Eccles Town Hall Ballroom from 3:00 PM. Later that evening, Courtney Barnett and Jacob Alon will perform at Band on the Wall, and Lynks and Tiberius b will play at YES. The festival will close with a party at YES, hosted by Homobloc and featuring Olof Dreijer, starting at 11:30 PM. Tickets for each event are priced at £16, with additional fees for booking, venue restoration, and handling. There is a limit of four tickets per event, and all attendees must be over 18. The festival will be broadcast on BBC Radio 6, so fans who can't attend in person can still enjoy the music.

Samantha Moy, head of 6 Music, said that independent grassroots venues are vital to the UK's music scene, and she is proud that the festival is supporting them. She believes that hosting the festival in these venues is a great way to celebrate Manchester's rich music history and support the next generation of artists. Mayor Andy Burnham also praised the city's independent venues, saying they are crucial for nurturing new talent and keeping Manchester's cultural life vibrant. The festival promises to be an exciting event for music lovers in Manchester and beyond.