BBC Radio 1 has unveiled its schedule for Live Lounge month, featuring headliners Jorja Smith, Sam Smith, and electronic duo Chase & Status. The sessions, which air throughout October, will be hosted by Charlie Hedges and Jeremiah Asiamah on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at midday.
The musical lineup, scheduled to run from October 5 to 30, includes a diverse array of artists. Blossoms will open the series on Monday, October 5, followed by Nothing But Thieves and Stella Lefty later that week. Sam Smith is set to perform on Friday, October 9, while Chase & Status and Jorja Smith appear on October 14 and 16, respectively.
Jorja Smith’s appearance follows the release of her third album, What Are The Odds, which has been praised by critics including Rolling Stone UK as her best work yet. Chase & Status headline Reading and Leeds Festival this past weekend, and Sam Smith recently released their fifth album, Hazel Eyes.
Other notable artists on the bill include US rappers Anderson .Paak and Cordae, Brit-nominated singer Beabadoobee, and rising star Rachel Chinouriri. The festival kicks off with a surprise artist on October 28 before Brighton duo Royal Blood close out the month on October 30.
In the traditional Live Lounge format, each guest performs an acoustic rendition of one of their own tracks and a cover of another artist’s song. Hedges, who previously co-hosted the show with Melvin Odoom and Rickie Haywood-Williams, expressed her excitement about the new partnership with Asiamah following their departure from the station.
Great lineup, but I wish they’d include more emerging artists instead of just relying on established headliners.
Chase & Status at Live Lounge? I’m curious to see how their heavy electronic sound translates acoustically.
Sam Smith is absolutely going to slay this. Their voice in an intimate setting is pure magic.