
Want to access BBC 6 Music, the Beeb’s dedicated alternative music station, from outside the UK? You can use a vpn – NordVPN works better – unlock 6 Music via BBC Sounds and listen to it normally, despite the latter’s international ban.
There are good reasons why you might want to do it too. 6 Music is the UK’s largest digital-only radio station and has built a dedicated following over the years. It even survived a proposed closure in 2010 and now has 2.7 million monthly listeners.
Although guitars feature prominently, there’s no genre 6 Music doesn’t play: from folk to jazz, dance, grime and more, they play anything alternative that gets the creative juices flowing from established or new artists.
How to listen to music from BBC 6
To access BBC 6 Music’s eclectic output, you have a variety of different options. Of course, a digital radio is a possibility, but if you don’t have one, the BBC Sounds website, the BBC Sounds app (iOS/Android) and the BBC 6 Music website are also available.
To listen, you’ll need a BBC account; register here.
And if you miss your favorite show, don’t worry. You can listen back through BBC Sounds, and most shows are available as podcasts. There are also specially curated BBC 6 Music playlists available on the BBC Sounds website and app.
However, remember that international access to BBC Sounds was closed in July 2025. Although the decision was met with disbelief, there are still ways to access the platform if you are abroad. Read on to find out how.
Can I access BBC 6 Music on BBC Sounds from abroad or while on holiday?
Yeah. UK residents who want to listen to BBC 6 Music while traveling abroad can still access the BBC Sounds app via a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, which comes with a 75% discount and 3 extra months free this Black Friday…
How to unblock BBC 6 Music on BBC Sounds with a VPN
If you’re outside the UK right now and can’t use BBC Sounds, you can still access the app thanks to the wonders of a VPN (virtual private network).
The software allows your devices to appear as if they are in your home country, regardless of where you are in the world. It’s ideal for listeners who are away for work or vacation and want a taste of home.
NordVPN is our favorite:
Tips to fix BBC sounds problems
If you still If you can’t access BBC 6 Music through BBC Sounds, even with the help of a VPN, there are a few more things you can try.
Please ensure your BBC account is associated with a valid UK postcode such as W1A 1AA.
The BBC Sounds app (iOS/Android) won’t appear on the Play Store or App Store outside the UK, but you may be able to prevent this by changing your phone’s region in the settings menu.
The BBC, like most broadcasters and networks, is engaged in a never-ending cat and mouse battle with VPN providers.
Although we’ve ranked the best VPNs for iPlayer, something we’ve resolved through extensive testing, if one of them works today there’s no guarantee that the same will happen tomorrow, in which case you can raise the issue with your VPN provider’s customer support team and ask them to recommend the best server to connect to.
Can I listen to BBC 6 Music from outside the UK without BBC Sounds?
You absolutely can. Listeners located outside the UK can now access a limited selection of BBC audio programming via the BBC.com website and the BBC app (iOS/Android). And the good news is BBC 6 Music is one of them!
Although you can listen via BBC.com and the BBC app without an account, you must log in if you want to download, follow and save programmes.
Visit the website linked above directly through a web browser and it works. It’s a crude solution and doesn’t include key features available in BBC Sounds, but you can listen to BBC 6 Music.
Additionally, only select radio content will be available on demand via the BBC 6 Music website.
What are the highest rated programs on BBC 6 Music?
As the UK’s largest digital-only radio station, with 2.7 million listeners, BBC 6 Music has never been more popular and that’s down to its stellar line-up of programmes.
Nick Grimshaw’s breakfast show has a weekly audience of 1.3 million and is the perfect way to prepare for a new day.
Grimshaw’s long-running weekend counterparts Radcliffe and Maconie – northern duo presenter Mark Radcliffe and writer and broadcaster Stuart Maconie – are also among the station’s most listened to programmes. It features smart music and many special guests from the world of music and entertainment.
Carlos Carlos presents the afternoon program on weekdays, but his Funk and soul show You can’t miss it either. If you’re looking for electric music, from blues to beats, then Cerys Matthews‘The weekly program is ideal for you. The former lead singer of Welsh alternative band Catatonia is also known for performing poetry and considering how music affects our daily lives.
another welsh, Huw Stephens presents his show from Tuesday to Friday live from Cardiff with a mix of guests and top-notch music. On Fridays, it’s ‘Music Sounds Better with Huw’ and the application show.
Mary Anne Hobbs‘Sunday’s show features musical journeys with artists a little more left-wing, plus some actual art. Companion 6 Royalty music presenter Steve Lamacq has a show that comes out every Monday and features the usual mix of new music and classics from established artists.
What will appear on BBC 6 Music’s Albums of the Year 2025?
Each BBC 6 Music DJ has selected what they believe is the album of the year and from Friday 21 November, Matt Everitt’s weekly New Album Fix show (launched on BBC Sounds every Friday morning) will explore each of the shortlists in detail.
There will be five selected each week, with the latest from CMAT, Sam Fender’s Mercury-winning work and the epic Perfume Genius all in competition.
One track from each album will be added to the 6 music playlist for one week between Monday, November 17th and Sunday, December 21st.
New Music Fix: Albums of the Year – Episode 1
On BBC Sounds from Friday 21 November
• EURO-COUNTRY by CMAT (selected by Chris Hawkins)
• Glory by Perfume Genius (selected by Huw Stephens)
• Lifetime by Erika de Casier (selected by SHERELLE)
• LSD by Cardiacs (selected by Marc Riley)
• Warsaw 480 km in pôt-pot (selected by Deb Grant)
New Music Fix: Albums of the Year – Episode 2
On BBC Sounds from Friday 28 November
• Canticle Hardposte by Proc Fiskal (selected by AFRODEUTSCHE)
• Devotion & The Black Divine by anaiis (selected by Zakia)
• In Limerence by Jacob Alon (selected by Guy Garvey)
• Deftones private music (selected by Huey Morgan)
• viagr aboys by Viagra Boys (selected by Nathan Shepherd)
New Music Fix: Albums of the Year – Episode 3
On BBC Sounds from Friday 5 December
• Last Night I Heard the Dog Barking by Gwenifer Raymond (selected by Gideon Coe)
• José, what have you done? by Rainy Miller (selected by Mary Anne Hobbs)
• People Watching by Sam Fender (selected by Stuart Maconie)
• Teeth of Time by Joshua Burnside (selected by Emily Pilbeam)
• The Bad Fire by Mogwai (selected by Iggy Pop)
New Music Fix: Albums of the Year – Episode 4
On BBC Sounds from Friday 12 December:
• Crooked Wing from These New Puritans (selected by Mark Radcliffe)
• LUX by Rosalía (selected by Nick Grimshaw)
• Map of a blue city by Marc Ribot (selected by Cerys Matthews)
• Annahstasia Tether (selected by Jamz Supernova)
• we will have a dance in the barn with Lavender (selected by Don Letts)
New Music Fix: Albums of the Year – Episode 5
On BBC Sounds from Friday 19 December
• A woman complicated by her self-esteem (selected by Steve Lamacq)
• AOEIU by Florence Adooni (selected by Gilles Peterson)
• Being killed by geese (selected by Lauren Laverne)
• A Sad and Beautiful World by Mavis Staples (selected by Beth Ditto)
• Teal Dreams by Yazmin Lacey (selected by Craig Charles)
• Who Let the Dogs Out by Lambrini Girls (selected by Amy Lamé)
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or tolerate illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or approve the consumption of paid pirated content.



