Steve Lamacq has opted for a well-deserved change in his broadcasting career. Commencing on Monday, 8th January, he will launch a new weekly show on 6 Music, titled “Steve Lamacq’s Teatime Session,” airing from 4 pm to 7 pm. His final daily weekday show on the network will be presented on Friday, 20th October. “Steve Lamacq’s Teatime Session” will feature Steve sharing his favourite new and classic tracks, as well as live sessions from established bands and emerging artists.
To fill the weekday evening slots from Tuesday to Friday (4 pm-7 pm), Huw Stephens will be joining 6 Music, commencing his new show on Tuesday, 9th January 2024. Huw’s show will revolve around sharing the music he adores, spanning past, current, live, and recorded tracks, while focusing on new discoveries and current music trends, all the while celebrating the alternative music beloved by 6 Music listeners.
Huw’s programme will broadcast from BBC Central Square in Cardiff, as part of the BBC’s Across the UK initiative, aimed at better reflecting, representing, and serving diverse audiences. He will continue to host a weekly show on BBC Radio Wales every Monday (7-10 pm) and his Welsh language show on BBC Radio Cymru every Thursday (7-9 pm).
Starting from Monday, 23rd October until Friday, 5th January (4 pm-7 pm), Huw, alongside other 6 Music presenters, will deputize for Steve.
Steve Lamacq says: “I love music and I love radio. Music radio has been my life for the past 30 years – and 6 Music has been my home for 20 years of them – and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. But I have another life now which is very important to me.
“It’s been terrific doing six shows a week, but what with all the prep work for the programmes and the ever-increasing volume of new music to listen to, there’s not been nearly enough time left over for my family. And to be honest, after nearly 40 years at the coalface of new music, I think I need a bit of a breather.
“Plus, there are other things I’m keen to do. Not least seeing if there’s a more practical role I can play in supporting the live music circuit and the venues across the country that I owe so much to.
“But of course, my heart still lives for discovering and nurturing new bands, so I’m really pleased that these changes mean I can stay at 6 Music while allowing more time to go searching for emerging artists, who I’ll be channelling into the new Monday show. There’ll be live sessions, interviews, some amazing archive and fingers crossed, at some point, the future of rock and roll.”
Huw Stephens says: “6 Music means so much to all of us who listen. It really is a community. To join the station with my own show is such an honour, especially taking over from Steve Lamacq who is staying on 6 with a new show. Steve has been a music mentor to all of us, his recommendations, thoughts and guidance in music is a huge part of who I am today and to call him a friend as well as a colleague means a great deal. I look forward to spending time with the 6 Music listeners every day, sharing new music and celebrating the music we love. So to everyone who’s asked me over the years, ‘when are you getting your own show on 6?’, the answer is ‘soon!’ See you on the airwaves!”
Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music says: “Steve Lamacq is a legend. Blur, Coldplay, Florence + the Machine, IDLES, Self Esteem, Fontaines D.C., Wet Leg. Committed, passionate, with a knack for finding the diamond in the rough, he is one of our finest. While we were tucked up in bed, he was at a gig, watching someone unheard or unsigned, that he’ll play on the radio, who might then become your new obsession. Over thirty years is a long time to be doing that every day of the week, 20 years of them at 6 Music. He tells me it’s time to take it easier and so I’m very happy that his new programme, Steve Lamacq’s Teatime Session, will give him the space to do just that, while continuing to support the music he loves – right here on 6 Music.
“Huw Stephens is a champion of unsigned and emerging artists and his commitment lasts the course. An early supporter of artists including HAIM, Wolf Alice, Disclosure, Loyle Carner and Little Simz, to name a few, he is known and respected across the music industry and is loved by our listeners too. When Steve told me he wanted to do less, there was only one person who would rise to the challenge. It is an absolute pleasure to have Huw Stephens join our presenting line up full time here on 6 Music.”
Rhuanedd Richards, Director of BBC Wales says: “Huw Stephens is a talented presenter and we are so proud to work with him at BBC Wales, so we’re thrilled with the news that he will now become a regular voice on 6 Music. We’re delighted too that our broadcasting centre in Cardiff will become the home of Huw’s new show. 6 Music will become the latest BBC network radio station to broadcast from Wales every week – joining Radio 4, Radio 3, Radio 2 and, from next week, Radio 1. Croeso cynnes i Gymru 6 Music!”
Starting from Saturday, 16th September, Don Letts will bring his Culture Clash Radio show to Saturday nights, airing from 9 pm to 11 pm. Don, who currently presents on Sundays from 10 pm to 12 am, will continue to offer an eclectic selection of music, spanning dub, dance, punk, pop, soul, and hip hop. The first hour will feature upbeat music, while from 10 pm onwards, Don will transition to a slower, more contemplative pace, delving into tracks beyond the dancefloor.
Don says: “I’m moving to a new time slot but the Rebel Dread remains the same. So get ready to move on up, get on down and occasionally slip sideways with a selection that’s wicked, wild and well versatile. This’ll be Culture Clash Radio in a different style.”
Following Don’s show each week, SHERELLE will take the airwaves from 11 pm to 1 am, bringing high-tempo electronic music to listeners. With her extensive knowledge of jungle and footwork and her love for electronic music in all its forms, SHERELLE will provide a glimpse into her musical world. She will also invite both new and established DJs and artists to join her for conversation and guest mixes during the final 30 minutes of each show.
SHERELLE says: “It’s an absolute honour to be given a show on 6 Music. I am gagged but ready to work super hard in pushing my scene, which is so heavily supported by the likes of Jamz Supernova, Mary Anne Hobbs and Gilles Peterson already. I have a very unique perspective and music taste which ranges so far and wide so I am really excited to bring that to 6 Music. I would love to thank 6 Music for the opportunity and Mary Anne, Tom Ravenscroft, Jamz and Gilles for their support and radio play over the years. Just massive love to the 6 Music family. Glad to officially be a part of it!”
The Blessed Madonna, who currently hosts a show on BBC Radio 6 Music on Saturdays from 9 pm to 12 am, will present her final show on Saturday, 2nd September.
The Blessed Madonna says: “Being a part of the BBC was a dream so big and incomprehensible that I barely dreamed it. The night of my first episode was the beginning of a journey that has been long and yet so short. Since the return of touring and record making, I’ve been like the lady at the circus spinning plates. I didn’t want to drop this plate but I’ve had to make the gutting decision to pass on the torch. I want to thank all of you listeners around the world who have faithfully tuned in and written to say you heard a song that meant something to you, the guests I’ve been proud to have on the show and my colleagues at 6 Music and We Are Grape. I have a feeling this isn’t a farewell, but see you later and until then, stay blessed.”
Also on 6 Music this autumn, Cillian Murphy begins a brand new 10-part series of Cillian Murphy’s Limited Edition, airing weekly from Sunday 17 September (10pm-12am).
Cillian Murphy says: “It’s been a while, but I am thrilled to be back playing tunes on 6 Music, my favourite radio station in the world… the show will be a sound collage of new, old and limited edition tunes for your discerning ears… can’t wait.”
The new series sees Cillian discuss some more of his favourite music, as he brings listeners a nocturnal playlist to end the weekend. He’ll share songs from all corners of his record collection and share why they hold a special place in his life. Cillian is no stranger to 6 Music and has presented numerous programmes on the network since 2013. The first series of Cillian Murphy’s Limited Edition aired in autumn 2020, with the second in autumn 2021. Artists whose records were featured across these two previous series include Bicep, Big Thief, Carly Simon, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Julia Holter, Laura Marling, Laura Veirs, Madlib, Marvin Gaye, Max Richter, Micah P. Hinson, Nick Cave, Nils Frahm, Nina Simone, Patti Smith, Pixies, PJ Harvey, Prince, The Stooges, Thin Lizzy, Thom Yorke, Wu-Lu and many more.
Samantha Moy says: “Saturday nights on 6 Music in the hands of The Blessed Madonna have been a joy. I’d like to thank her for her brilliant contribution to the network since she joined us in early 2021 and wish her the very best as she continues her successful career as a DJ and artist.
“We have been fans of SHERELLE here at 6 Music for some time and I know that she, along with the mighty Don Letts – who we have been privileged to have on the network since 2009 – will continue to make Saturday nights as eclectic, insightful and fun as they have ever been.
“I know how much our listeners love Cillian Murphy’s Limited Edition – his musical choices, stories and company, so I am thrilled that he’ll be back with us for another series this autumn.”
Lastly, starting from Sunday, 26th November, “Lose Yourself With…,” 6 Music’s weekly show that invites listeners to escape with two hours of music transporting them to a virtual destination, will move to a new timeslot of Sundays from 10 pm to 12 am. The program currently airs on Sundays from 12 am to 2 am.
