MUMBAI: In a special live broadcast from Newcastle University’s Student Union, Lauren Laverne announced that the 6 Music Festival 2015 will take place on Tyneside, with gigs each night on Friday 20 February at The 02 Academy Newcastle (Friday) and at The Sage, Gateshead on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February.

6 Music presenters in their shows throughout today have revealed the full line-up of acts set to perform at The 02 Academy Newcastle and The Sage, Gateshead. With over 40 artists and DJs across six stages over three nights, the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is bringing together an impressive line-up of established acts and emerging artists who represent the very best alternative music of the moment. Keep across all the latest updates at #6MusicFestival.

Additionally, there will be a 6 Music Festival by Day (which will be ticketed separately to the night-time events) in venues in The Ouseburn and Stephenson Quarter areas of the city, on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February, 11am-6pm. The full line-up of the 6 Music Festival by Day will be announced on 6 Music on Tuesday 3 February.

Lauren Laverne says, "I'm so excited that this year’s 6 Music Festival is taking us back to my home in the North East.  It’s going to be an incredible weekend of music, not to be missed. The Festival is a celebration of the music and culture we and our listeners love so much."

Paul Rodgers, head of programmes for 6 Music says, "Building on the success of last year’s inaugural 6 Music Festival in Salford, we are proud to announce its return in 2015 on Tyneside. The festival brings together the most exciting alternative music of the moment, as well as championing emerging and established artists who represent the range of diverse music played on the station every day."

Peter Salmon, director of BBC England says, "The 6 Music Festival is the latest event in a strong programme of BBC activity which has seen Children's, Sport, Drama and Radio 3 shows being made or broadcast in the North East over the last year alongside terrific local output. In February, Radio 4's new series of Homefront is set in Newcastle, while in the spring, Inspector George Gently, shot in Durham, broadcasts on BBC One. BBC Two comedy Boy Meets Girl starts filming in the region this week, so all this plus our many hit North East kids' dramas are showing what a vibrant and inspiring region it is for creative people."

Bands performing at The 02 Academy Newcastle on Friday 20 February from 5pm are:

Interpol

Mogwai, who celebrate their 20th anniversary this year

Sleater-Kinney: This will be their first UK performance in almost 10 years

The War On Drugs: BRIT 2015 nominees whose 2014 album, Lost In The Dream, was 6 Music’s Album Of The Year

Artists and bands performing at The Sage Gateshead across four stages on Saturday 21 February from 6pm are:

Hot Chip, performing exclusive brand new material for the first time

Royal Blood: Mercury Prize 2014 and BRIT 2015 nominees
The Fall

Jungle: Mercury Prize 2014 nominees

Maximo Park: Local heroes

Kate Tempest: Mercury Prize 2014 nominee

Gruff Rhys

Simian Mobile Disco

Django Django, performing exclusive new material

Father John Misty

Ghostpoet, performing brand-new material

The Cribs, performing brand-new material

Villagers, performing exclusive brand-new material for the first time

Ibibio Sound Machine

Kate Tempest and Eliza Carthy, performing together in an exclusive 6 Music collaboration
Plus a Northern Soul Night (from 5 to 10.30pm), hosted by 6 Music’s Funk and Soul show presenter Craig Charles, with Richard Searling and Stuart Maconie plus further DJs to be announced soon.

Artists and bands performing at The Sage Gateshead across four stages on Sunday 22 February from 6pm are:

The Charlatans, performing exclusive brand-new material

Jamie T

Neneh Cherry

Jon Hopkins

British Sea Power

Gaz Coombes

Young Fathers: Mercury 2014 winners

Wire

The Maccabees, performing exclusive new material

Glass Animals

Lonelady, performing brand-new material

King Creosote

Public Service Broadcasting, performing brand new material

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, performing brand new material

Plus, DJ sets (from 5 to 10.30pm), hosted by 6 Music presenter Nemone, with Richy Ahmed, Daniel Avery, 6 Mix residents Rob da Bank and DJ Yoda, and others to be announced soon.

Tickets for each night of the festival will go on sale at 10am across three consecutive days.