The legendary Great British groups are set to be celebrated in an exciting array of programs on BBC Radio 2, exclusively available on BBC Sounds. As part of the grand National Album Day, listeners will have the chance to vote for their favorite British groups, culminating in the crowning of Radio 2’s Ultimate British Group.
The celebration highlights six decades of phenomenal British bands, allowing audiences to journey through time and revisit the golden eras of music. From the nostalgic sounds of the 60s to modern hits of the 2010s, this nationwide event will commemorate the significant contributions of British groups to the global music scene.
National Album Day: Celebrating Great British Groups
This year’s National Album Day is set to honor the success of British bands. With the theme focused on Great British Groups, Radio 2 invites its listeners to vote for their top five favorite bands from a list curated by experts in the industry. The list was built based on bands played frequently on Radio 2 and those who have made a substantial impact on the Official Albums Chart.
The top 30 most popular British groups, as chosen by listeners, will be revealed in a countdown show presented by Mark Goodier. The special will be available on BBC Sounds starting Friday, 11 October, and will air on Radio 2 on Saturday, 19 October, from 1-3 pm, coinciding with National Album Day 2024.
A Special Kitchen Disco with Sophie Ellis-Bextor
To further celebrate National Album Day, Radio 2 will feature a special edition of Kitchen Disco hosted by the iconic Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Sophie will curate an hour-long playlist filled with her all-time favorite Great British Groups, including names like Eurythmics, Oasis, Faithless, The Last Dinner Party, and The Darkness. This vibrant session will take listeners on a musical journey through some of Britain’s greatest hits, airing on BBC Sounds from Friday, 11 October.
Johnny Marr’s Great British Groups: A Musical Journey
Johnny Marr, celebrated guitarist and former member of The Smiths, has crafted a special four-part playlist series titled Johnny Marr’s Great British Groups. In this curated series, Johnny will guide listeners through a captivating journey that spans the decades, highlighting British bands from the 60s through the modern era.
Johnny’s playlist focuses on bands that have not only influenced his own music but have also left an indelible mark on the world stage. As he explores the rich history of British music, he shares his personal reflections on albums that have resonated with him—some of which he had the honor of being involved with.
Johnny Marr commented:
“I’ll be choosing all kinds of things from long-players by British bands of all kinds, as long as they go around at 33 revolutions per minute. Part of wanting to be a great group is wanting to be as good as the people you think are great. All of the great bands that I know of, and that I love, have all managed to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people who came before them.”
Johnny Marr’s series will debut on BBC Sounds on Friday, 11 October, and will air on Radio 2 on 13, 20, 27 October, and 3 November, from midnight-1 am.
British Groups That Conquered America: A Four-Part Series
In a special four-part series titled The Great British Groups That Broke America, the influence of British groups that made waves across the Atlantic will be showcased. The program will feature iconic bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Supertramp, Queen, Genesis, Radiohead, and The Spice Girls.
This series delves into the cultural and musical significance of these bands, examining how they took America by storm, climbing the charts and leaving a lasting legacy. From the 60s to the 90s, the series will chronicle their incredible stories and impact on the U.S. music scene.
The entire series will be available on BBC Sounds starting Friday, 11 October, with all four parts being broadcast on Radio 2 on Saturday, 19 October, between 1-3 am.
Scott Mills and Rylan’s Pop Top 10 Podcast Launches
As previously reported, Scott Mills and Rylan are gearing up for the launch of their exciting new 10-part podcast series, Pop Top 10, available on BBC Sounds from Wednesday, 18 September. To coincide with National Album Day, the first episode will feature Katherine Ryan joining the duo to debate the Top 10 Greatest British Girlbands.
During the episode, Katherine Ryan shared:
“I was heavily influenced by Britney and Christina [Aguilera], but then when the girl band swept in and it was led—I know I’m a controversial guest being Canadian—but the British girl band is King!”
This lighthearted and entertaining podcast is also being filmed for BBC iPlayer, providing listeners and viewers with even more engaging content.
