BBC Introducing Announces 10-City 'Introducing LIVE' Tour Across the UK This November
BBC Introducing has announced a new monthly showcase series called Introducing LIVE, running across 10 UK locations in November 2026. The series mixes live performances, workshops, industry talks, open mics and networking sessions aimed at unsigned and emerging artists.
The run opens on November 5 with simultaneous events in Bridgend and London, and closes on November 28 in Leeds with four separate showcases. The announcement comes shortly after BBC Introducing Stage confirmed it will no longer have a stage at Reading & Leeds, according to NME.
Full list of dates and cities
- November 5 — Bridgend
- November 5 — London
- November 6 — Sunderland
- November 9 — Manchester
- November 10 — Liverpool
- November 11 — Gateshead
- November 12 — London
- November 13 — Belfast
- November 18 — Nottingham
- November 19 — Glasgow
- November 28 — Leeds (four showcases)
Practical details
- Dates: November 5–28, 2026
- Cities: Belfast, Bridgend, Gateshead, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Sunderland
- Tickets and info: published on the BBC Introducing website
- Price: not yet announced
- On-sale time: not yet announced
BBC Introducing editor Kelly Betts said supporting and developing new artists remains core to the platform, calling this year the biggest one yet.
Background: exit from Reading & Leeds
The BBC Introducing Stage was set up in 2008 and ran at Reading & Leeds for 18 years, giving early-career slots to artists including Ed Sheeran and The 1975. BBC noted the stage had supported roughly 70% of the UK acts on the two festivals' 2026 lineups.
A spokesperson for organizer Festival Republic told NME that the incoming Canopy stage will draw new talent from a wider pool, saying the move is meant to "support a more diverse range of new artists," with hopes some will eventually headline the main stage. BBC confirmed Introducing will continue to partner with other festivals, including Latitude and The Great Escape.
Platform status and recent cutbacks
BBC Introducing currently supports unsigned artists through its Uploader platform, 23 local radio programs, and six national programs across Radio 1, Radio 2, 6 Music, Asian Network and Radio 3. The scheme has also expanded to the US, partnering with a university radio program in Tennessee, with plans to expand to more states.
Artists who have benefited from the scheme include Ed Sheeran, RAYE, Olivia Dean, Sam Fender and Loyle Carner. The network has faced cutbacks in recent years, however: in 2023 the number of local BBC Introducing programs was cut from 32 to 20, drawing criticism at the time from artists including Sigrid and Elton John.