Young Fathers, Gossip and The Smile to headline 6 Music festival
Young Fathers, Gossip and The Smile will headline the BBC Radio 6 Music festival in Manchester this March.
The line-up was announced by breakfast show host Lauren Laverne, who said it was “a chance to see something brand new” during a “busy festival season”.
The Smile – formed by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood – will play an exclusive set with the London Contemporary Orchestra.
The Gossip, meanwhile, will premiere their first new music in 11 years.
“We’re so excited – Manchester is going to be the first to hear our new record live,” said the band, whose previous hits include Standing In The Way Of Control and Heavy Cross.
The band were recently encouraged to reform by Beastie Boys and Johnny Cash producer Rick Rubin. Their comeback album, Real Power, is due out in March.
Speaking to Laverne, The Smile admitted they had “a lot of work to do” to prepare for their show.
“It’s one thing to do it in the studio, but it’s another thing to do it live,” the band said. “We’ve decided to work with the London Contemporary Orchestra on the performance but as they’re all incredibly versatile musicians, we’ll figure it out!”
Young Fathers, whose feverish brand of Scottish hip-hop set festival stages alight last summer, will perform a unique collaboration with the Hulme and Moss Side-based NIA community choir.
“A 6 Music stage has been given to us and the door of endless possibilities has been opened.” the trio said in a statement.
“Beyond anything else it will be a night to celebrate a wide mix of folk coming together. Geronimo!”.
The festival takes place from 7 to 10 March, with the headline acts all performing in the O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester.
Tickets go on sale from 10am on Thursday 18 January via the BBC 6 Music website.
Other acts on the line-up include Irish country-pop firebrand CMAT and “Guv’nor folk” rapper Hak Baker.
BBC Introducing will host an “open deck” night, allowing aspiring DJs to jump behind the turntables, as well as a night of new music from up-and-coming bands like Porij, OneDa and Witch Fever.
Performances will be played out on BBC 6 Music across the week.