With an ear for the next big artists in music, BBC Radio 6 Music DJ, Chris Hawkins has established a reputation for uncovering talent and providing a huge platform for them to be heard.
The likes of Sam Fender, Wet Leg and The Lathums are just a few of the name Chris tipped very early on in their careers, so it is no surprise that music fans are always keen to listen to his suggestions.
Aside from his DJing, Chris has launched his “Awesome Friends” new music nights, showcasing a variety of the most promising bands and artists the UK has to offer right now.
The 2026 events kick off this week in Manchester, and we caught up with Chris to discuss “Awesome Friends”, along with his career in radio and plenty more.
NC: Going back to the start, how did you first get into radio DJing?
Chris: “I was obsessed with radio and music as a kid. I loved it as a medium and was fascinated by the idea that a presenter could talk directly to you. They were sharing the most amazing music at a time when there was no other way of hearing it, short of buying it. That, coupled with a deep love of music, took me on this journey.”
NC: Were there particular presenters or DJs who inspired you early on?
Chris: “All the DJs on Radio 1 really. They were playing music I loved, especially pop music at that time. I’d literally write down the songs I liked and then spend my pocket money buying vinyl at weekends in Shrewsbury, where I grew up.”
NC: What kind of records were you buying back then?
Chris: “It was a real mix. A lot of rock bands – I was a big Bruce Springsteen fan. As I got older, I moved more into indie bands. I remember loving The House of Love’s Shine On – a record I played so much it’s almost unplayable now. I’ll also admit to buying some pretty awful novelty records. I’m a big football fan, and in those days teams would release FA Cup final songs. I’ve got a lot of those, plus plenty of England World Cup songs. None of them ever need to see the light of day again.”
NC: You’re now a key voice on 6 Music, which has become a trusted source of new music. Why do you think that is?
Chris: “6 Music is, without doubt, the greatest radio station on the planet. It’s a place for curious music minds. You hear classic songs, deep cuts from great heritage artists, alongside the newest and best breaking bands. That mix, delivered with genuine love by every presenter, creates trust. It’s an immense privilege to be in a position where I can play something by Tom Waits and have a listener say, “I’ve never heard of him before,” just as much as playing a brand-new artist.”
NC: Do you notice a wide age range among listeners?
Chris: “Absolutely. 6 Music is an open door. It’s for anyone who loves music – age doesn’t matter. You only have to be a music fan to feel at home there.”
NC: You’re known for supporting artists early on, like Sam Fender, Wet Leg and The Lathums. Is there any pressure in tipping future stars?
Chris: “It’s pure pleasure. With Sam Fender, I premiered his first two songs and remember the audience being completely wowed. He came on the show a lot in those early days and it was incredible to see him go on to win the Mercury Prize. The same with The Lathums – I remember introducing them on stage for the first time and just thinking, “This band has it.” When artists you believe in go on to huge success, you feel enormous pride.”
NC: Is there anything you particularly look for in new artists?
Chris: “There’s a wow factor that’s hard to define. I’ve never been brilliant at explaining why certain bands stand out, but artists like Sam Fender, The Lathums and CMAT all have that extra special something.”
NC: These artists we have discussed are all endearing characters. Does personality matter too?
Chris: “Definitely. Being a decent person brings longevity. It’s easier to be nice than to be angry all the time, and that really shows in the long run.”
NC: From your perspective, how hard is it for new artists today?
Chris: “It’s never been easier to make high-quality music, but it’s never been harder to get heard. Streaming works for superstars like Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran, but for most artists the best way to earn a living is by playing live. Touring and live shows are vital now.”
NC: That leads nicely to your Awesome Friends live music nights. What are they about?
Chris: “They’re an opportunity to showcase new bands I love and genuinely believe will go on to big things. It’s about seeing artists up close before they’re playing huge stages, and about supporting independent venues. It’s also about giving bands a platform at a time when playing live is more important and more challenging than ever.”
NC: Was Manchester the natural home for these shows?
Chris: “Manchester is where I live, and the music scene here is in incredible shape – more vibrant than it’s been in years. It’s also important to me that new bands can be heard outside of London.”
NC: What will your role be on the nights?
Chris: “I’ll be hosting, DJing some of the time, and spending a lot of time in the crowd with a drink. It’s about sharing a great night of live music.”
NC: Is there a particular target audience?
Chris: “There’s no meticulous research behind it. I’m putting on bands I love and trusting that the audience will be up for discovering something special.”
NC: You also host Q&A nights with artists. How do those differ?
Chris: “They’re intimate evenings of conversation and acoustic performance. I’ve done them with artists like Peter Doherty, Stuart Murdoch, Joe Talbot and many others. They’re rare chances to see huge names up close. One of the concepts is that we’ll talk through ten songs that changed their life. Nights like that feel really special.”
NC: You also run the How To DJ podcast. Tell us all about it?
Chris: “My daily show on 6 Music is everything to me, but the podcast has been an amazing experience and is doing really well. It’s me in conversation with DJs and broadcasters about how they got where they are – from Greg James to Carl Cox. I find it hugely inspiring.”
NC: Looking back, are there interviews that really stand out for you?
Chris: “I’ve been incredibly lucky to interview so many heroes. Interviewing The Killers before they were famous was huge. Dave Grohl lived up to his reputation as the nicest guy in music. Jack White was thoughtful and intelligent. More recently, sharing a stage with Matt Berninger from The National was a real pinch-me moment.”
NC: Finally, are there any new artists you’d tip right now?
Chris: “I could answer that differently every day. I listen to hundreds of new tracks a week. From Manchester, Florentenes and The Guest List are doing amazing things, especially given how young they are. I also love Arkayla, 1-800 GIRLS on the electronic side, and Adelphi Music Factory from Sheffield. Guitar music feels exciting again, and there’s so much talent coming through.”
“Awesome Friends” launches for 2026 tomorrow at Gorilla (Manchester). For full dates and tickets, visit here.
Chris will also be DJing and hosting stages at around a dozen festivals next summer, including The Piece Hall in Halifax for the fourth year running, one of the most incredible venues in the UK.
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