Members of Franz Ferdinand, Idlewild and Frightened Rabbit are among the musicians protesting against BBC Scotland axing specialist late night music shows.
The BBC announced earlier this year that it would be replacing four shows that currently air between 10pm and midnight from Monday to Thursday. They will either remove or reallocate the current presenters.
The shows are set to be replaced by a new programme, Up Late, which the BBC says “will feature a curated blend of well-known classics from the 1970s to the present day. The music will highlight a strong Scottish influence, showcasing both Scotland’s most established musicians and its rising talent.”
In response, various musicians and creative industry workers have issued an open letter, arguing that the personally curated selections of the current DJs can’t be replaced.
As well as the aforementioned artists, Nadine Shah, Eddi Reader and Hamish Hawk are among those to sign.
“A trusted presenter plays our song and says our name on national radio for the first time,” the letter, organised by Stephen McAll of the band Constant Follower, reads. “Listeners’ ears, and industry doors that were previously closed, begin to creak open. That single play announces to promoters, funders, labels and audiences: this is someone worth paying attention to.
“BBC Radio Scotland is the only station in Scotland that has anything that comes close to that level of career-igniting clout,” the letter continues. “And within BBC Radio Scotland, it is the curated late-night shows that provide that space where exciting new music can be discovered, and new artists introduced to Scottish listeners.”
The letter calls for the BBC to “pause implementation of these programme changes until meaningful consultation with Scotland’s music sector (including artists, industry organisations and audiences) has taken place”.
NME has contacted the BBC for comment.
The letter continues: “A playlist doesn’t give you an enthusiastic and globally respected quote you can use on tour posters, press releases or the sleeve of your debut EP. Neither does a playlist go to small gigs by unknown bands, or offer encouragement and advice to young, upcoming artists …
“No, it’s the deeply passionate music-lovers, who have spent their working lives inside the Scottish audio landscape, who do these things … These are the trusted voices of our late-night radio. We do not want to lose them.”
Per the Guardian, The Musicians’ Union has also criticised the plans, with Caroline Sewell, regional organiser for Scotland and Northern Ireland, saying: “We urge BBC Scotland to reconsider, to work with the music community to safeguard opportunities for Scottish musicians – not to contribute to the ongoing decimation of opportunities for our incredible musicians who consistently enrich our lives and communities.”
The new line-up of programming is currently scheduled to begin in the first week of 2026.
