BBC Radio 6 Music playlist, 4 May 2026

Last Updated on May 4, 2026

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6music Playlist: 4 May 2026

The 6music playlist for 4 May 2026 presented a broad selection of music, spanning various eras and genres. The day began with Soulwax’s “Perfect We Are Not”, followed by Therapy?’s “Screamager” and Melissa Auf der Maur’s “Followed The Waves”. The 119 pieces played throughout the day offered a mix of established artists and newer acts, ensuring a varied listening experience for audiences.

Notable composers featured multiple times included little grandad and Korda Korder, each with two pieces aired. The playlist showcased a blend of well-known tracks like David Bowie’s “Sound And Vision” and Chic’s “Le Freak”, alongside more contemporary selections from artists such as Confidence Man & Daniel Avery and mary in the junkyard. The running order demonstrated a dynamic flow, moving between different styles and tempos.

The day concluded with a trio of tracks that continued the diverse theme: Tame Impala’s “Half Full Glass of Wine”, Lord Invader’s “I’m Going Back To Africa”, and Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart with “Visions of You”. This eclectic mix highlighted the station’s commitment to showcasing a wide array of musical talent and sounds.

What 6 Music featured today

Today’s playlist included new releases from Genesis Owusu (Redstar Wu & The Worldwide Scourge), Nia Archives (Emotional Junglist), Lip Critic (Theft World), KNEECAP (FENIAN), American Football (American Football), Modern Woman (Johnny’s Dreamworld), Iceage (For Love of Grace & the Hereafter), Chanel Beads (Your Day Will Come), IZCO (POWERSCROFT), Knats (A Great Day in Newcastle), Blarf (Film Scores for Films That Don’t Exist), Hekt (Forever), Lime Garden (Maybe Not Tonight), Big Long Sun (love songs and spiritual recollections), White Denim (13), Buzzcocks (Attitude Adjustment), Air (Moon Safari: The Athens Concert) and The Residents (Randy, Chuck & Bob in the Studio).

Currently on tour: The Guest List (April 2026), Erasure (A 40th Anniversary Evening), Happy Mondays (35 Years of Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches), Lip Critic (Theft Saga), KNEECAP (FENIAN OUTSTORES), Lime Garden (Maybe Not Tonight Instores), AtticOmatic (Spring UK 2026), The Lovely Eggs (20th Anniversary Tour), Status Quo (SQ24), Parquet Courts (Sympathy for Life), Fontaines D.C. (Romance), Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds (The Wild God Tour – Australia & New Zealand 2026), Mott the Hoople (Mott the Hoople '74) and Tame Impala (Deadbeat).

Korda Korder recently played The Social, London on 15 April 2026. Terrorvision recently played Studio 36, Skegness on 29 March 2026, opening with Discotheque Wreck. The Proclaimers recently played Burrs Country Park, Bury on 2 September 2023. The Marvelettes recently played Capitol Theatre, Wheeling on 4 October 2025, opening with Too Many Fish in the Sea. Public Service Broadcasting recently played The Princess Theatre, Brisbane on 6 May 2026. The Anchoress recently played Union Chapel, London on 14 November 2025, opening with Show Your Face. Daft Punk recently played Staples Center, Los Angeles on 12 February 2017, opening with Starboy / I Feel It Coming. The Guest List recently played Komedia, Brighton on 24 April 2026, opening with Loose Tongue. Gossip recently played Main Stage, Herk-de-Stad on 18 July 2025, opening with Listen Up!. Genesis Owusu recently played Quercus Park, Carrick on 7 February 2026, opening with Leaving the Light. The Flaming Lips recently played San Jacinto Plaza, El Paso on 3 May 2026, opening with It Overtakes Me. little grandad recently played Brudenell Social Club, Leeds on 3 May 2026. Nia Archives recently played Howard Assembly Room, Leeds on 1 May 2026, opening with Danger. Doris Troy recently played Crowne Plaza Meadowlands, Secaucus on 27 March 1999. pyncher recently played Blue Shell, Cologne on 2 May 2026, opening with Steely Dan. Return of the Jaded recently played Matullia Lands at Rock Bay, Victoria on 12 September 2025. Pale Saints recently played The Garage, London on 20 January 1995. Mudhoney recently played Spanish Ballroom at McMenamins Historic Elks Temple, Tacoma on 1 January 2026, opening with If I Think. James recently played O2 World, Berlin on 16 April 2011. Loop recently played The Waterfront, Norwich on 26 May 2023, opening with Black Sun. Inspiral Carpets recently played Butlin's Bognor Regis Resort, Bognor Regis on 4 January 2026. Erasure recently played St George's Bristol, Bristol on 21 September 2025, opening with Ship of Fools. De La Soul recently played Tempe Beach Park, Tempe on 18 April 2026, opening with Eye Know. The Stone Roses recently played Hampden Park, Glasgow on 24 June 2017, opening with I Wanna Be Adored. Electronic recently played Wembley Hall 1, London on 12 December 1991, opening with Soviet. Happy Mondays recently played Mandela Hall, Belfast on 24 April 2026. Lip Critic recently played 148 Frost Street, Brooklyn on 9 April 2026. KNEECAP recently played CONTENT, Liverpool on 5 May 2026. American Football recently played Goose Island Brewery, Chicago on 27 September 2025, opening with Stay Home. Self Esteem recently played Wembley Stadium, London on 29 November 2025, opening with Focus Is Power. Modern Woman recently played Exchange (Stage 2), Bristol on 11 April 2026. Bucket recently played The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano on 23 April 2026. Iceage recently played Pappy & Harriet's Palace, Pioneertown on 16 March 2025, opening with Hurrah. Chanel Beads recently played Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City on 16 November 2025, opening with I Think I Saw. IZCO recently played Rock Farm, Slane on 8 July 2023. Jinjé recently played Bristol Beacon, Bristol on 1 March 2025. Still Blank recently played Palm Door on Sixth, Austin on 15 March 2026. Knats recently played Flamingo Cantina, Austin on 15 March 2026. Mleko recently played Gullivers, Manchester on 7 June 2025. Yung Singh recently played Phonox, London on 6 December 2025. Lime Garden recently played Green Door Store, Brighton on 19 April 2026, opening with Body. Lambrini Girls recently played The Rechabite, Perth on 1 March 2026, opening with Bad Apple. AtticOmatic recently played The Old Blue Last, Hackney on 29 April 2026. Flip Top Head recently played The Lexington, London on 7 March 2026, opening with I Can't Wait Until I'm Old. Hutch recently played Soul Train Studios, Los Angeles on 23 August 1975, opening with Love Power. Goodbye recently played Cardross Estate, Dykehead on 2 August 2025, opening with Open Your Arms. Big Long Sun recently played The Rat & Pigeon, Manchester on 6 May 2026. The Velvet Underground recently played Waldorf Astoria New York, New York on 17 January 1996, opening with Last Night I Said Goodbye to My Friend. The Lovely Eggs recently played Trinity Centre, Bristol on 1 November 2025, opening with Intro. Status Quo recently played Vivary Park, Taunton on 23 August 2024, opening with Caroline. Parquet Courts recently played Glanusk Park, Crickhowell on 21 August 2022, opening with Application/Apparatus. Fontaines D.C. recently played Boucher Road Playing Fields, Belfast on 29 August 2025, opening with Starburster / In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song). White Denim recently played Finlay Park, Columbia on 15 November 2025, opening with Pretty Green. Four Tops recently played EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond on 6 May 2026. Sultans of Ping F.C. recently played Set Theatre, Kilkenny on 7 February 2026, opening with Back in a Tracksuit. Dire Straits recently played Beaulieu Abbey, Beaulieu on 19 June 1999, opening with Walk of Life. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion recently played Maker Park, Staten Island on 12 July 2025, opening with come on!. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds recently played TSB Bank Arena, Wellington on 6 February 2026, opening with Frogs. The Troggs recently played Soetebeekstraat, Bree on 27 August 2022. Microplastics recently played Windmill Brixton, London on 1 May 2026. Pink Floyd recently played Barbican Centre, London on 10 May 2007, opening with Arnold Layne. Buzzcocks recently played Pool Deck @ Norwegian Pearl, Miami on 5 April 2026. Air recently played Tiny Desk Concerts, Washington on 5 December 2025, opening with Le Voyage de Pénélope. Naïm Amor & Kid Congo Powers recently played Club Congress, Tucson on 16 November 2025, opening with Surf Sirens. Goat Girl recently played The Garrison, Toronto on 10 October 2025. Punishment of Luxury recently played Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield on 5 December 2025, opening with The Message. Mott the Hoople recently played O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London on 27 April 2019. Ralfe Band recently played The Folklore Rooms, Brighton on 25 October 2024, opening with Frascati Way South Bound. The Residents recently played Mayan Theatre, Los Angeles on 7 June 2025, opening with The Walrus Hunt. Pond recently played Mercury Lounge, New York on 18 August 2019. Tame Impala recently played AFAS Dome, Merksem on 5 May 2026. Lord Invader recently played Carnegie Hall, New York on 8 May 1947. Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart recently played Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda on 25 April 2026.

By the numbers

119 pieces aired on BBC Radio 6 Music on 4 May 2026, captured live as each track changed.

Most-played artists

Artists featured today included little grandad, Korda Korder, Soulwax, Therapy?, and Melissa Auf der Maur.

The full playlist

1. Perfect We Are Not, Soulwax
2. Screamager, Therapy?
3. Followed The Waves, Melissa Auf der Maur
4. Crash Landing, mary in the junkyard
5. On & On (Again), Confidence Man & Daniel Avery
6. (Hey You) What's That Sound, Les Rythmes Digitales
7. Very Ape, Nirvana
8. One Thing At A Time, Courtney Barnett
9. Zombie, Vital Disorders
10. American Dream, Alabama Shakes
11. Independent Women, Part 1, Elbow
12. Sound And Vision, David Bowie
13. Sliced By A Fingernail, Dry Cleaning
14. Dancing Song, Little Comets
15. I Know, New Atlantic
16. On Ya Way, Helicopter
17. All Funked Up, Mother
18. Dance In The USA, Show Me the Body
19. Turntables, Janelle Monáe
20. Outro, M83
21. Everything Must Go, Manic Street Preachers
22. My Favourite Book is One I've Read a Bunch, Dermot Henry
23. Glue, Bicep
24. The Fall, Theatre
25. Le Freak, Chic
26. Sleepwalking, little grandad
27. Poison, Cooper T
28. It's All Up To You (Radio 1 Session, 29th Mar 1987), The Darling Buds
29. Duchess, The Stranglers
30. Modern Love, two blinks, i love you
31. Where's Your Head At (Steve Angello Remix), Basement Jaxx
32. Paper Planes, M.I.A.
33. Everything You Ever Wanted To Be, Korda Korder
34. Everything You Ever Wanted To Be, Korda Korder
35. Tequila (Mint Royale Shot), Terrorvision
36. Upgrade, Cut Face
37. Letter From America, The Proclaimers
38. Please Mr. Postman, The Marvelettes
39. Night Mail, Public Service Broadcasting
40. I Had A Baby Not A Lobotomy (feat. Gwenno), The Anchoress
41. Da Funk, Daft Punk
42. You Should Care, The Guest List
43. Standing In The Way Of Control, Gossip
44. LIFE KEEPS GOING, Genesis Owusu
45. Do You Realize??, The Flaming Lips
46. Unmasked, little grandad
47. Boys In Blue, Nia Archives
48. I'll Do Anything, Doris Troy
49. One Day, pyncher
50. Walk The Line, Return of the Jaded
51. Sight of You, Pale Saints
52. Street Tuff, Rebel MC & Double Trouble
53. This Gift, Mudhoney
54. Come Home, James
55. Arc-Lite (Sonar), Loop
56. Joe, Inspiral Carpets
57. You Surround Me, Erasure
58. 20 Seconds to Comply, Silver Bullet
59. The Magic Number, De La Soul
60. Fools Gold, The Stone Roses
61. Getting Away with It, Electronic
62. Hallelujah, Happy Mondays
63. Shoplifting, Lip Critic
64. Big Bad Mo, KNEECAP
65. Wake Her Up (feat. Wisp), American Football
66. Maggie's Song (From The Teeth 'n' Smiles Soundtrack), Self Esteem
67. Blessed Day, Modern Woman
68. Nails, Bucket
69. Ember, Iceage
70. Song For The Messenger, Chanel Beads
71. Wonderluv, IZCO
72. Kush, Jinjé
73. love/guilt, Still Blank
74. Say It Again, Untitled
75. 肪 / Bo, bed
76. Azure Blues, Knats
77. As It Goes, Mleko
78. Piano Concerto No. 0, Blarf
79. IDCIISU, Barkley Bandon
80. Move Time, MJ Cole x John Glacier
81. Forever (feat. Smerz), Hekt
82. NUG46, Yung Singh
83. Cross My Heart, Lime Garden
84. Cult of Celebrity, Lambrini Girls
85. Wait, AtticOmatic
86. Trilateral Machine, Flip Top Head
87. Hillside Wool, Hutch
88. 13A, Goodbye
89. Right-Click, Rename, Bert
90. heavy (on your mind), Big Long Sun
91. Foggy Notion, The Velvet Underground
92. Summer Wine, Lee Hazlewood & Suzi Jane Hokum
93. The Poacher, Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance
94. I Moron (feat. Iggy Pop), The Lovely Eggs
95. Down the Dustpipe, Status Quo
96. Dust, Parquet Courts
97. I Love You, Fontaines D.C.
98. At Night in Dreams, White Denim
99. Bernadette, Four Tops
100. Where's Me Jumper, Sultans of Ping F.C.
101. Sultans Of Swing, Dire Straits
102. Sweat, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
103. There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
104. I Can't Control Myself, The Troggs
105. Crumpled and Ruffled, Microplastics
106. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, Pink Floyd
107. Moving Away From The Pulsebeat, Buzzcocks
108. Sexy Boy, Air
109. Tucson Safari, Naïm Amor & Kid Congo Powers
110. Burn The Stake, Goat Girl
111. Punk Before Chips, Wild Billy Childish and The Spartan Dreggs
112. Puppet Life, Punishment of Luxury
113. Marionette, Mott the Hoople
114. Park Bench Blues, Ralfe Band
115. Constantinople, The Residents
116. Hobo Rocket, Pond
117. Half Full Glass of Wine, Tame Impala
118. I'm Going Back To Africa, Lord Invader
119. Visions of You, Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart