Published: October 2, 2024 — The Cure are set to perform two world exclusive live sessions for both BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 2 In Concert later this month.

The sets will be recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre in London’s Broadcasting House, with the band playing some of their most loved hits, as well as songs from their upcoming album Songs of a Lost World.

On 6 Music and BBC Sounds, The Cure’s exclusive and intimate session – called 6 Music Session: The Cure Live – will be broadcast within Huw Stephens’ show on Thursday 31 October (4-7pm), alongside an interview between Huw and Robert Smith. The 6 Music session follows the station’s world exclusive first play of their new single, Alone – the band’s first new music in 16 years – which was shared by Mary Anne Hobbs in her 6 Music show (weekdays 10.30am-1pm) on Thursday 26 September.

For Radio 2 In Concert, the band will perform in front of a small audience of lucky fans at the BBC Radio Theatre on Wednesday 30 October. It will be broadcast in Jo Whiley’s show on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds (7-9pm) on Thursday 31 October, which will also feature Jo’s interview with Robert Smith. And on Friday 1 November, the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, hosted by Zoe Ball, will also feature some exclusive tracks from the recording.

The Cure’s Radio 2 In Concert and 6 Music performances will also be available in vision on BBC iPlayer on the evening of Thursday 31 October and on demand for 30 days.

Fans of The Cure are in for a treat on Saturday 2 November, as BBC Two will air The Cure’s Radio 2 In Concert, alongside a new The Cure at the BBC compilation, plus another chance to see That Was Then…This Is Now: The Cure, The Cure at Glastonbury 2019 and Rock Around the Clock: The Cure.

Robert Smith of The Cure, says: “It’s not often we perform such intimate shows, so we’re really looking forward to this, and to sharing more tracks from the new album for the first time on 6 Music and Radio 2.”

Huw Stephens says: “The Cure are one of 6 Music’s most beloved artists. Their records and visionary sonic journeys have captivated us all, and to hear a new album and a live performance to celebrate it will be very special.”

Jo Whiley says: “I can’t tell you how excited I am that The Cure will be performing for Radio 2 In Concert. They were my first music obsession and remain so to this day. They played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of that time and have influenced countless artists since with Robert Smith’s incredible songwriting and haunting lyrics.”

Jeff Smith, Head of Music for Radio 2 and 6 Music, says: “The Cure are one of the UK’s most important bands with a string of iconic hits amongst a significant repertoire of work. They are still much-loved today, plus new audiences are discovering their music for the first time. I was delighted when they accepted my invitation to perform a wide cross section of their repertoire, hence the complimentary and unique selection of live tracks you will hear in our programming across both Radio 2 and 6 Music where they will feel the love from both our musical mainstream and alternative leaning audiences.”

Initially formed in 1978, The Cure has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, headlined the Glastonbury festival four times and were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. They are considered to be one of the most influential bands to ever come out of the UK.

Tickets for Radio 2 In Concert will be allocated via a ballot which opens for registrations from 8.30am on Wednesday 2 October and closes at 9pm on Wednesday 9 October at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2inconcert.

A BBC Audio production for Radio 2 and 6 Music.

About BBC Radio 2

BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to radio station, with a weekly audience of 13.3 million (Rajar Q2, 2024) and The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show the most listened to Breakfast show in the UK with 6.4 million listeners (RAJAR Q2, 2024). Vernon Kay (Monday-Friday, 9.30am-12pm) hosts the biggest radio show in the UK. The network’s presenters include Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Rob Beckett, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Revd. Kate Bottley, Rylan, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Jamie Cullum, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Gary Davies, Paul Gambaccini, Mark Goodier, Angela Griffin, Bob Harris, Vernon Kay, Cerys Matthews, Paddy McGuinness, Scott Mills, Jason Mohammad, Trevor Nelson, Dermot O’Leary, Elaine Paige, Mark Radcliffe, Romesh Ranganathan, DJ Spoony, Liza Tarbuck, Jeremy Vine, Michelle Visage, Johnnie Walker, Jo Whiley, Phil Williams and Owain Wyn Evans.

In 2023, Radio 2 presented In Concert performances from Take That and Blur as part of the extensive live music coverage the station brings music lovers across the year. In September 2024, Radio 2 in the Park – the network’s annual flagship event – took place in Preston, with Sting and Pet Shop Boys headlining. Jo Whiley’s show (Monday to Thursday, 7-9pm) has featured Sofa Sessions this year from artists including Paul Weller, The Mary Wallopers, Jordan Rakei, D.C., Devendra Banhart, Mercury Prize winners English Teacher and nominee Corinne Bailey Rae, CMAT and Kate Nash, plus an outside broadcast from live music venue, The Ferret in Preston, featuring three local bands – LOWES, VALA and Bryony Jarman-Pinto – each hand-picked from BBC Introducing’s roster of artists to perform live on the show.

About BBC Radio 6 Music

With a reach of 2.7 million listeners (Rajar Q2, 2024), 6 Music is the UK’s biggest digital-only radio station. It brings a broad range of music and culture beyond the mainstream to music lovers with a curious spirit, combining the cutting-edge music of today with the iconic, ground-breaking sounds of the past 50 years. Presenters include AFRODEUTSCHE, Amy Lamé, Cerys Matthews, Chris Hawkins, Craig Charles, Deb Grant, Don Letts, Gideon Coe, Gilles Peterson, Guy Garvey, Huw Stephens, Huey Morgan, Iggy Pop, Jamz Supernova, Lauren Laverne, Marc Riley, Mark Radcliffe, Mary Anne Hobbs, Nathan Shepherd, SHERELLE, Steve Lamacq, Stuart Maconie, Tom Ravenscroft, Tom Robinson and Zakia Sewell.

The station brings listeners live sessions each and every week as part of its regular programmes, with recent performances including from Deadletter, Ezra Collective, Jon Hopkins, Nilüfer Yanya, Pond, Thee Sacred Souls and many more. The station’s annual 6 Music Festival, which takes place in Greater Manchester each March, brings audiences unique performances from artists which they won’t see anywhere else. Over the past two years, the festival has featured sets from Arlo Parks, Christine and the Queens, CMAT, Gossip, Hak Baker, Jordan Rakei, Lava La Rue, Loyle Carner, OneDa, Porij, The Big Moon, The Smile, Witch Fever, Wu-Lu, Young Fathers in addition to club nights with DJ sets from a range of established and new acts.