BBC Radio 6 Music has named its Artists of the Year for 2026. The list was revealed by Nick Grimshaw on his Breakfast Show on Tuesday, 3 November 2026 — a 12-strong line-up led by Charli xcx, The Cure, Robyn and Erykah Badu, celebrated with exclusive interviews, live sessions and curated shows across the station this month.
The Full List
The full list of BBC Radio 6 Music's Artists of the Year 2026 is:
- beabadoobee
- Charli xcx
- corto.alto
- Erykah Badu
- Fontaines D.C.
- Madra Salach
- Mandy, Indiana
- Phoebe Bridgers
- Robyn
- Show Me the Body
- Shygirl
- The Cure
What Is Artists of the Year?
The annual Artists of the Year award celebrates creativity, innovation and cultural impact over the past year. To mark the occasion, 6 Music is staging a month of celebration featuring exclusive interviews, live sessions and curated shows, with contributions from fans and fellow musicians including A. G. Cook, John Cale, Olivia Rodrigo and The Alchemist. Two one-hour specials — "6 Music's Artists of the Year, Part 1" and "Part 2" — are available on BBC Sounds from November 3.
Why These 12
The list leans UK and Irish-heavy, with Charli xcx, The Cure, Fontaines D.C. and beabadoobee alongside US names Erykah Badu, Phoebe Bridgers and Show Me the Body. Charli xcx became the first British female artist to score two new No. 1 albums in the same year — the Wuthering Heights soundtrack in February and Music, Fashion, Film in August (read the Charli xcx biography; see also the Fontaines D.C. biography). beabadoobee landed her second No. 1 album with Pylon. Three of the 12 were highlighted as 2026 BBC Introducing acts: corto.alto, Madra Salach and Mandy, Indiana. Robyn's continued UK resurgence is covered in Robyn's 'Dancing On My Own' returns to the UK Top 40.
Watch
Shygirl is one of the 12 Artists of the Year — watch her perform "Mantra" in a live session for BBC 6 Music, published on November 3, 2026. Please note: this is a BBC 6 Music live session, not the official announcement video.
Shygirl - Mantra | 6 Music Live Session, via BBC Music — this is a live session for BBC 6 Music, not the official announcement video.
FAQs
Who won BBC 6 Music Artists of the Year 2026?
The 2026 list features 12 artists: beabadoobee, Charli xcx, corto.alto, Erykah Badu, Fontaines D.C., Madra Salach, Mandy, Indiana, Phoebe Bridgers, Robyn, Show Me the Body, Shygirl and The Cure.
Who announced the 2026 Artists of the Year?
Nick Grimshaw revealed the list on his BBC Radio 6 Music Breakfast Show on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.
How many artists are on the list?
Twelve artists made the 2026 Artists of the Year list.
Where can I hear the Artists of the Year specials?
Two one-hour specials, "6 Music's Artists of the Year, Part 1" and "Part 2", are available on BBC Sounds from November 3.
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