BBC 6 MUSIC’S CHRIS HAWKINS PRESENTS AWESOME FRIENDS A NEW MUSIC SHOWCASE IN MANCHESTER CHAMPIONING NEXT GENERATION OF FUTURE HEADLINERS CVC, OFFICE PARTY AND CAMBER BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins hosts ‘Awesome Friends’, a night dedicated to finding the freshest sounds and championing the acts you need to watch. Since relaunching in Manchester in January 2026, Awesome Friends has already hosted three sold-out dates with an array of rising artists. On Wednesday 21st October, Awesome Friends will host CVC, Office Party and Camber at Manchester’s Deaf Institute. Tickets are available from Friday 11th September at 10am via www.gigsandtours.com. Chris Hawkins says: "Awesome Friends is all about discovering the best new acts and supporting them on their journey to main stages. The night is an amazing opportunity for music fans to get up close with incredible emerging artists and fall in love with new favourite bands. Manchester’s music scene is fantastic shape and introducing the next generations on stage is a massive thrill." Awesome Friends brings the next wave of future success stories to legendary venues around Manchester. Keep an eye out for further locations and dates. No stranger from finding new talent, Chris Hawkins has a standout show on BBC 6 Music championing alternative anthems and fresh sounds. Chris was an early supporter of emerging acts Sam Fender, Wet Leg and The Lathums, now all headline performers. Awesome Friends previous line-ups have also included names such as Wunderhorse, Corella, The Ks and Lime Garden. Serving as a platform for the emerging, grass roots acts and those destined to be our future musical heavyweights, Awesome Friends has the potential to be the next Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall in ‘76, Glasgow’s King Tuts Wah Wah Hut in ‘93 or The Grapes Pub Sheffield in ‘03 – and you’ll be able to say you were there when it all began. Acclaim for Awesome Friends: ‘The night was an unforgettable display of how much talent is circling the music industry at the moment. With so many exciting promises of bands that demand to be heard, there is much to look forward to in the future of music, and endless reason to tune in to Hawkins’ iconic show on BBC Radio 6.’ – Adrenaline Mag ‘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.’ – Northern Chorus