BBC Introducing announce ‘LIVE’ events across the UK for young artists after being axed from Reading & Leeds

BBC Introducing has announced a month-long programme of events for emerging artists across 10 UK locations.

The string of shows will take place throughout November, hosting performances, workshops, educational panels, open mic sessions and networking opportunities in Belfast, Bridgend, Gateshead, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Sunderland.

The announcement follows the confirmation last month that the BBC Introducing Stage had been axed from Reading & Leeds after 18 years .

Launched in 2008, the festival stage had hosted artists including Ed Sheeran and The 1975 early in their careers, and the BBC said it had supported approximately 70 per cent of the British artists appearing across the festivals’ 2026 line-up.

A Festival Republic spokesperson told NME that the Canopy stage would host emerging musicians from a wider pool and said the decision was made to “support a more diverse range of up-and-coming artists, who will hopefully go on to headline the festival in years to come”.

View this post on Instagram The BBC confirmed that Introducing would continue to work with other festivals, including Latitude and The Great Escape.

Announcing the new programme of events, BBC Introducing editor Kelly Betts said: “Championing and nurturing artists and creatives is at the heart of everything BBC Introducing does and so I’m excited that Introducing LIVE will be returning in November for our biggest year yet.” The programme will begin in Bridgend and London on November 5 and conclude with four separate showcases in Leeds on November 28.

The full list of events is below and you can find tickets and further information on the BBC Introducing site here .

NOVEMBER 5 – Bridgend 5 – London 6 – Sunderland 9 – Manchester 10 – Liverpool 11 – Gateshead 12 – London 13 – Belfast 18 – Nottingham 19 – Glasgow 28 – Leeds BBC Introducing currently supports unsigned musicians through its Uploader platform, and on 23 local radio programmes and six national shows on Radio 1, Radio 2, 6 Music, Asian Network and Radio 3.

The scheme has also expanded into the US with partnerships with college radio programmes in Tennessee, with plans to extend the project into further states in the future.

It has been instrumental in the rise of artists including Sheeran, RAYE , Olivia Dean , Sam Fender and Loyle Carner .

The network has faced concern over cuts in recent years.

In 2023, the number of local BBC Introducing programmes was reduced from 32 to 20 , prompting criticism from musicians including Sigrid and Elton John .

The post BBC Introducing announce ‘LIVE’ events across the UK for young artists after being axed from Reading & Leeds appeared first on NME .