BBC 6 Music live
BBC 6 Music at a glance
About BBC 6 Music
BBC Radio 6 Music is the BBC's national station for alternative music, and one of the most loved music stations in the UK. Its presenters are music fans first, and its playlist moves freely between indie, rock, electronic, soul, hip hop, folk and the deep cuts you will not hear anywhere else. Searches for radio 6 and 6 music are among the most popular for BBC stations, and on this page you can listen to BBC 6 Music live online for free.
The station that fans saved
6 Music launched on 11 March 2002 as one of the BBC's first digital-only radio stations. In 2010 the BBC proposed closing it, which sparked a huge public campaign led by listeners and musicians. The decision was reversed, and since then 6 Music has grown into one of the biggest digital radio stations in Britain. It is based at MediaCityUK in Salford.
What makes 6 Music different
6 Music celebrates the past, present and future of alternative music. Daytime shows mix new releases with classic tracks from artists such as David Bowie, The Smiths, Radiohead, Björk and Arctic Monkeys, while specialist programmes explore everything from electronic music and dub to jazz, punk and global sounds. Many presenters are musicians or long-time DJs, so the shows are full of personal stories and genuine enthusiasm. Each year the 6 Music Festival brings live performances to a different UK city, and the station regularly broadcasts sessions and archive recordings from the BBC's vaults.
How to listen to 6 Music
BBC Radio 6 Music is not on FM. You can hear it on DAB digital radio across the UK, on digital TV, smart speakers and BBC Sounds, where many shows are available on demand. Or press play above to listen to 6 Music live straight away on your phone, tablet or computer. If you like 6 Music, you may also enjoy Radio X, Absolute Radio, Rock Radio UK and BBC Radio 1, all on our site.
For curious music lovers who want to discover something new every day, BBC 6 Music is essential listening.
- 100% free, no sign-up
- Live stream, 24 hours a day
- Listen from anywhere
- Works on phone and computer
How to listen to BBC 6 Music live
In 3 simple steps, with nothing to install.
- 01Press play
Click the "Listen live" button at the top of this page.
- 02Wait a moment
The live stream starts loading within a few seconds.
- 03Enjoy
BBC 6 Music plays right in your browser, with nothing to install.
BBC 6 Music schedule
- Guy Garvey's Finest Hour00:00–02:00
- The BBC Introducing Mixtape02:00–03:00
- 6 Music Live Hour03:00–04:00
- 25 Years of Rock04:00–05:00
- Chris Hawkins05:00–07:00
- Shaun Keaveny07:00–10:00
- Lauren Laverne10:00–13:00On now
- Radcliffe and Maconie13:00–16:00
- Steve Lamacq16:00–19:00
- Marc Riley19:00–21:00
- Gideon Coe21:00–00:00
Frequently asked questions
No. 6 Music is a digital station, available on DAB, digital TV, smart speakers, BBC Sounds and online.
Press play at the top of this page to listen to BBC Radio 6 Music live for free on any device.
6 Music launched on 11 March 2002. A proposal to close it in 2010 was dropped after a large listener campaign.
6 Music plays alternative music: indie, rock, electronic, soul, hip hop, folk and much more, old and new.
Yes. You can listen to BBC 6 Music live for free here on UK Radio Stations, 24 hours a day.
Yes. BBC 6 Music plays in your phone’s browser on Android or iPhone — there is no app to install. Just open this page and press play.
Yes. Connect your phone to the car stereo by Bluetooth or cable, open BBC 6 Music here on UK Radio Stations and enjoy the live stream on the road.
If the stream does not load, wait a few seconds and press play again — some streams take a moment to connect. You can also refresh the page or try another Indie and Alternative station meanwhile. UK Radio Stations checks every stream automatically.