Celebrating music’s alternative spirit - The 6 Music Festival 2015

If ever a reason for 6 Music’s existence were needed then the 6 Music Festival on Tyneside provided it. No other radio station on the planet would offer up the legendary Bryan Ferry on the same bill as sprawling guitar anti-heroes, Mogwai. To me, one of 6 Music’s greatest attributes is the ability to sweetly segue from a contemporary dance act like Hot Chip (pictured) to the genius poetry of John Cooper Clarke, as was the case this weekend. Such segues are our bread and butter. A half hour tuned to 6 Music can deliver you records you may not have heard for 30 years (or ever) alongside the latest, breaking sounds.

The three-day festival weekend, celebrating music’s alternative spirit, kicked off with superstar-6-DJ, Tom Ravenscroft introducing the band responsible for 6 Music’s number one album of 2014, The War On Drugs. Their soaring Friday teatime performance at O2 Newcastle Academy set the bar crazy high and was perhaps best, succinctly, described by one audience member as, “chuffing ace.”

Next up, a fiery Sleater-Kinney who chose the festival to play their first UK show in 10 years and were followed on stage by a top form Interpol. Shaun Keaveny and I introduced them - sharing a mic on account of lead singer Paul Banks not wanting to pick up any potentially contagious germs, which was an original new description of Shaun and myself.

Then came Mogwai who scorched the Academy’s sweaty roof off with their beautifully brutal headline set. I spoke to the band’s main-man Stuart Brathwaite immediately afterwards and he was at pains to express how much he’d loved it, and loves that 6 Music plays his records. It was a night when some had come to see one band and left with a new favourite.

Saturday morning and the sun danced on the Tyne as Bryan Ferry opened the Festival By Day proceedings, in conversation with Lauren Laverne. North-East born Ferry talked about his roots, suits and revolutionary records in his customary suave and laid-back manner. Meanwhile, in another part of town - about 100 yards up the road - Gideon Coe surreally discussed the merits of Tiswas with Dr. John Cooper Clarke.

A closely fought* pop quiz, officiated by pop-mistress Liz Kershaw, between myself and Shaun Keaveny saw a narrow victory for Keaveny. I was beaten by as many as Newcastle Utd that afternoon and while they were thrashed 5-0 away, their home city played host to a mind-blowing set by rock 'n' roll’s latest, greatest, invention, Royal Blood. Steve Lamacq played his usual part in the Brighton duo’s breakthrough and in fact, a glance at the line up tells you that Lammo has had a big hand in the success of dozens of bands on the bill. Royal Blood exploded all over Sage in Gateshead and headliners Hot Chip provided the perfect party for Saturday night.

Sunday’s 6 Music Festival By Day was based in the Boiler Shop in Newcastle and was a mix of live music, artists like Gaz Coombes in conversation, Cerys Matthews presenting her show live from the site and there was Beardyman’s crowd-pleasing, incomprehensibly brilliant beat boxing to create a genius Album In An Hour.

The 6 Music Festival 2015 climaxed on Sunday night with no less than 20 bands playing live under the Sage’s arching Norman Foster designed roof. With my now breaking voice reflecting day three at the festival, I introduced King Creosote to a crowd with pre-written Monday morning sick notes. To overcome the frailty of my voice, friendly advice from a local was to drink 10 pints and "you'll be alreet pal.” I failed to take that professional advice and instead was mercifully compos mentis to witness a spell-binding set by Public Service Broadcasting, a phenomenal show by the hip hop Young Fathers and and it was The Charlatans who crowned an incredible weekend with a sensational trip through their glorious back catalogue.

Reality now bites. The 6 Music Festival is done for another year but before the post-festival blues set in, there’s a chance to reflect on a coming together of alternative music’s very best as well as a chance for the station’s DJs to meet, drink and be merry with our wonderfully loyal listeners. Tyneside, we loved you. You were “chuffing ace.”

*Shaun Keaveny cheated.

Chris Hawkins is a DJ for BBC 6 Music

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