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”. 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 Introducin...