BBC Radio 6 Music names its Artists of the Year 2024 05 Nov 2024
Today (Monday 4th November) on the BBC Radio 6 Music Breakfast Show (7.30am-10.30am), Nick Grimshaw, sitting in for Lauren Laverne, announced 6 Music’s Artists of the Year 2024.
Announced each November, the list features ten acts who, over the past year, have been championed by the station and have made a cultural impact.
The 6 Music Artists of the Year 2024 are (in alphabetical order):
- Charli xcx
- CMAT
- English Teacher
- Fat Dog
- Fontaines D.C.
- Jamie xx
- Kim Gordon
- Kneecap
- Little Simz
- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
CMAT says: "A 6 Music Artist of the Year? I’m CMAT and I approve this message! Having John Grant join me on stage for ‘Where Are Your Kids Tonight’ at the 6 Music festival in Manchester this year was - and I am not exaggerating - one of the highlights of my life x x"
English Teacher say: “We’re absolutely over the moon to be one of 6 Music’s Artist of the Year 2024. It means so much to us as a band. The station has been incredibly supportive over the last few years, ever since we launched our debut single back in 2021. We love you all and are excited to be one of your picks for 2024."
Fat Dog say: “Woof woof 6 Music. Ya dogs are rolling round on the floor in delirium that you’ve made us one of your Artists of the Year. Special woof for honorary slug Lammo for stalking us throughout 2024 . It’s been reassuring knowing we get to see your beautiful face in pits as we slime our way around the world.”
Fontaines D.C. say: “We’re delighted that 6 Music have picked us as one of their Artists of the Year. Thanks for all the support over the years.”
Jamie xx says: “Thank you 6 Music for picking me as one of their artists of the year. I’m very grateful for the support behind In Waves, it will always feel special to hear something of mine on the radio back home.”
Kim Gordon says: “Wow, so surprised to be included in this list of 10. Thanks for all the support over the years and for this record that’s so special to me. Thank you 6 Music !!”
Kneecap say: “We’re buzzing to be one of the 6 Music artists of the year. It’s especially important to us given our use of Irish language, and for it to be now fired out by the BBC thanks to you lot! We hope this inspires other artists using indigenous languages worldwide to be confident in their own identity.”
Little Simz says: “Thank you to 6 Music for your continuous support and for including me in your Artists of the Year. I appreciate the love always.”
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds say: “Thank you 6 Music for honouring us with this award - and for the incredible support that you have given to Wild God this year, and to us as band over the years. We are very happy to have made it onto your Artists of the Year list.”
Cam Pia, 6 Music’s music editor says: “6 Music is the home of the artist, we’re a place where they can tell their stories, create unique moments and dig deep into their output and creative process…and Artists of the Year is an opportunity to celebrate those acts who have culturally dominated 2024. Once again, the list features artists from across the musical spectrum and shows the exciting range and breadth of music we play. Some are at the beginning of their careers and some have been icons for decades. We’re really proud to be a part of their journeys and I’m looking forward to revisiting some of the moments we’ve created with them for listeners in 2024. Congratulations to all the artists on this year’s list.”
6 Music will celebrate its Artists of the Year 2024 with a range of programming, including:
- Two shows, entitled 6 Music’s Artists of the Year - Part 1 and 6 Music’s Artists of the Year - Part 2, which are available on BBC Sounds now and will each explore five of the artists on this year’s list. Thursday’s programme will focus on CMAT, Charli xcx, English Teacher, Fat Dog and Fontaines D.C and Friday’s show will feature Jamie xx, Kim Gordon, Kneecap, Little Simz and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Programmes will also hear from famous fans of the Artists of the Year 2024, including Amy Taylor from Amyl and the Sniffers, Bobby Gillespie, Emily Eavis, Felix White, Joan As Police Woman, John Cooper Clarke, John Grant, Michael Fassbender, Rosie Lowe, Yannis Philippakis and many more, who share what they think makes these artists so special.
- Artists of the Year themed editions of regular 6 Music features, including: Craig Charles’ Hymns of Simz (Tuesday 5th November, 1-4pm); Huw Stephens’ 6 Musicology on Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (Tuesday 5th November, 4-7pm); and, within the Breakfast Show (weekdays, 7.30-10.30am), a special edition of 6 Music Salutes celebrating Jamie xx (Tuesday 5th November) and a Desert Island Disco from English Teacher (Friday 8th November).
- New interviews with Kneecap on Huw Stephens (Wednesday 6th November, 4-7pm) and Fat Dog on Craig Charles (Friday 8th November, 1-4pm).
In addition, Fat Dog’s entire Maida Vale performance, which was first broadcast on Steve Lamacq’s Teatime Session in September 2024 is now available for the first time in vision on BBC iPlayer as part of a 6 Music Artists of the Year collection. Also available within the BBC iPlayer collection are CMAT’s performance at the 6 Music Festival (March 2024), Little Simz’ Pyramid Stage set from Glastonbury Festival (June 2024), Fontaines D.C.’s Maida Vale performance on Steve Lamacq’s Teatime Session (July 2024), and Kneecap’s debut at Reading Festival (August 2024).
All radio programmes will be available on BBC Sounds after broadcast.
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THE HEADLINES
Lucian Grainge outlines UMG's 2026 plans in staff memo (see News)
Skye Newman wins Radio 1's Sound of 2026 (see News)
Spotify now lets you share what you’re streaming in real time with friends (see Digital)
Streamed and retail entertainment sales grew four times faster than UK economy in 2025 (see News)
UMG announces collaboration with NVIDIA to pioneer responsible AI for music discovery, creation, and engagement (see News)
2026 music industry predictions (see Features)
New wave of global British breakthrough talent helps UK recorded music grow for 11th consecutive year (see News)
What’s going to give you the marketing edge in 2026? (see Features)
The global value of music copyright hits an all-time high (see Reports)
The 'metamorphosis' of Atlantic Records (see Features)
Looking ahead to 2026 (see Opinion)
Boost for artists in AI copyright battle as only 3% back UK active opt-out plan (see News)
Music discovery: More channels, more problems (see Reports)
