BBC Radio 6 Music has named beabadoobee, The Cure and Charli XCX among its Artists of the Year for 2026, with a 12-act list recognising established names and emerging artists who have made a significant creative impact over the past year.
The full selection was announced by Nick Grimshaw on his Breakfast Show and also features Fontaines D.C., Erykah Badu, Phoebe Bridgers, Robyn and eight other acts spanning a broad range of musical styles.
The full BBC Radio 6 Music Artists of the Year 2026 list
The 12 artists and groups selected by the station are:
- beabadoobee
- Charli XCX
- corto.alto
- Erykah Badu
- Fontaines D.C.
- Madra Salach
- Mandy, Indiana
- Phoebe Bridgers
- Robyn
- Show Me the Body
- Shygirl
- The Cure
The selection brings together artists from post-punk, neo-soul, electronic music, indie and reimagined traditional folk, reflecting the range of sounds championed by the station.
BBC announces special programming across November
To celebrate the list, 6 Music is broadcasting dedicated programmes across radio, BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.
Two one-hour specials will explore the influence of the 12 selected acts, featuring contributions from artists and producers including Olivia Rodrigo, John Cale, A. G. Cook and The Alchemist.
November’s schedule also includes a four-part Artist in Residence series from Irish folk group Madra Salach, while Mandy, Indiana will take over Lauren Laverne’s show for a special Desert Island Disco.
Listeners can also hear live sessions from Show Me the Body and corto.alto, alongside highlights from festival performances, including The Cure’s summer set at Primavera Sound 2026.
6 Music editor praises the artists shaping music
6 Music Music Editor Cam Pia said the station wanted to recognise the people creating and pushing music forward.
Artists are at the heart of everything we do. It feels more important now than ever to shine a light on artistry and the community that creates it. From iconic trailblazing returns to the thrill of something completely brand new, we are honoured to celebrate these innovators.
The special broadcasts, live session archives and collections are available through BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.
