Fans of indie music will soon have a new destination on BBC Sounds, with BBC Radio 6 Music launching a dedicated 24-hour stream called Indie Forever.
The new BBC Sounds extension will be dedicated to indie pop, rock and classics, playing music from the 1980s through to the 2010s and beyond.
Indie Forever will be available exclusively through BBC Sounds from Wednesday 22 July 2026, and will be accessible via the BBC Sounds app, website and supported smart speakers.
How to access 6 Music Indie Forever
Once launched, listeners will be able to access the service through BBC Sounds.
On the BBC Sounds app
- Download or open the BBC Sounds app.
- Sign in with a BBC account.
- Search for “Indie Forever” or browse the music stations section.
- Tap play to start listening.
On a web browser
Visit BBC Sounds on your desktop or mobile browser and search for Indie Forever.
On smart speakers
The service will also be available through supported smart speakers. Users should be able to request the stream through BBC Sounds voice commands once it launches.
What music will Indie Forever play?
The stream will focus on indie music from the 1980s to the 2010s and beyond, with UK artists making up around 70% of the playlist.
The BBC says listeners can expect artists including:
- The Stone Roses
- Oasis
- Blur
- Pulp
- The Verve
- The Strokes
- Arctic Monkeys
- The Killers
- Florence + The Machine
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- The xx
- Wolf Alice
- The 1975
- Sam Fender
- Blossoms
Alongside music, Indie Forever will include archive interviews, BBC live sessions, themed playlists, artist collections and programmes celebrating independent music venues and emerging British artists.
Listeners can also expect historic BBC archive moments, including Liam and Noel Gallagher’s 1997 appearance on The Evening Session, Oasis at Knebworth in 1996, and classic sessions from artists including Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes and The Smiths.
What shows will be on Indie Forever?
Indie Forever will launch with a range of new and archive programming.
The Morning Session with Steve Lamacq and Felix White
Steve Lamacq and Felix White, from The Maccabees, will present The Morning Session on weekdays.
The programme is described as a homage to Radio 1’s legendary Evening Session, which became closely associated with Britpop and indie music in the 1990s.
The show will explore the moments, movements, artists, scenes, genres and labels that helped define UK indie music.
Indie Forever Disco with Beth Ditto
Beth Ditto, frontwoman of Gossip, will present Indie Forever Disco on Fridays and Saturdays, featuring two hours of indie hits for the dancefloor.
City Soundtracks
City Soundtracks will air from Monday to Thursday, presented by 6 Music and BBC Introducing’s Emily Pilbeam.
Produced in collaboration with Music Venue Trust and BBC Introducing, the programmes will visit different independent venues across the UK, exploring each area’s contribution to indie music while showcasing new grassroots artists.
Artist collections and archive specials
The launch schedule will also include another chance to hear The Rise and Fall of The Smiths and The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of Oasis.
From August, weekends will feature artist collections celebrating acts including The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Wolf Alice, The White Stripes and Biffy Clyro.
Classic episodes from Jarvis Cocker’s 6 Music shows will also be part of the schedule. His current Someday Service will be repeated on Saturdays from 1 August, while episodes of his former Sunday Service, which aired on 6 Music from 2010 to 2017, will be broadcast on Sundays from 2 August.
What presenters are involved?
The Indie Forever line-up includes:
- Steve Lamacq
- Felix White
- Beth Ditto
- Emily Pilbeam
- Nathan Shepherd
- Huw Stephens
- Lauren Laverne
- Nick Grimshaw
- Jarvis Cocker
BAFTA-winning actor and comedian Sophie Willan, best known for Alma’s Not Normal and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, will voice introductions to upcoming programmes on the stream throughout the week.
What happens on launch day?
To mark the launch of Indie Forever on Wednesday 22 July, BBC Radio 6 Music will simulcast the first edition of The Morning Session with Steve Lamacq and Felix White.
The main 6 Music station will also celebrate the launch throughout the day, with Steve Lamacq and Felix White appearing on the breakfast show, Sophie Willan guesting with Chris Hawkins, and Emily Pilbeam giving listeners a preview of City Soundtracks.
Nathan Shepherd will also play an hour of back-to-back indie hits.
Why is the BBC launching Indie Forever?
The BBC says Indie Forever is designed to celebrate 6 Music’s indie roots while giving listeners a more focused destination for guitar-based music.
Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music, said the stream would tell the stories and play the songs that have soundtracked the UK’s independent music scene over the past 40 years.
She said: “If you want a version of 6 Music that’s pure, unadulterated indie – then this 24 hour stream is for you.”
The BBC says the stream is part of its wider commitment to developing BBC Sounds and giving audiences more choice.
Is Indie Forever replacing BBC Radio 6 Music?
No.
Indie Forever will sit alongside the existing BBC Radio 6 Music service rather than replacing it.
The main station will continue to broadcast its usual mix of alternative music, specialist shows and presenters.
The new stream is designed as an additional listening option for fans who want a more concentrated indie soundtrack throughout the day.
When does Indie Forever launch?
Indie Forever launches on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
The BBC previously confirmed plans for a summer 2026 launch, after media regulator Ofcom approved the proposal in April.
The stream will be available exclusively on BBC Sounds.
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