BBC Music

Alistair Heather presents an incredible line-up of music and spoken word performances alongside the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Joining them are Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross, Call the Midwife’s Laura Main, Nina Nesbitt, Nathan Evans, Dead Pony’s Anna Shields, Calum Bowie, Becky Sikasa and Jacob Alon. With live recitals from Elaine C Smith and a commanding Immortal Memory delivered by Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson from Scot Squad.

Aretha Franklin’s Don’t Play That Song is a message that’s thankfully ignored in this collection of tracks with tears, with some of music’s biggest stars pouring their hearts out in a selection of classic performances from the BBC's archives. Alongside the Queen of Soul are a diverse range of artists, including Dolly Parton, the Arctic Monkeys, One Direction, Boyz II Men and George Michael – all guaranteeing an irresistible musical mix of pleasure and pain.

Actor Shaun Williamson - aka Barry - invites you to enjoy some of EastEnders’ finest musical moments, on a journey through the BBC archives that celebrates 40 years of Walford warblers - from chart-topping Nick ‘Every Loser Wins’ Berry and Martine ‘Perfect Moment’ McCutcheon, to old favourites like Mike Reid, Barbara Windsor and Letitia Dean - who made 'Something Outta Nothing’ with a leap from the Queen Vic to Top of the Pops. Plus there are some rarely-seen showstoppers and Albert Square dancing from the cast’s regular appearances on Children in Need over the years, and a selection of performances from those actors who had tasted chart success before making the move to E20 – including Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp, Blue’s Lee Ryan and even Eurovision contender Samantha Womack.

A collection of hits from the BBC archives that highlight how films and movie stars have always influenced the biggest singers, songwriters and bands. These are the songs that were inspired by big screen legends and classic movie moments, some with references that stand out like the Hollywood sign and others that will test film knowledge to the max.

To mark her 80th birthday, Elkie Brooks looks back on some of her finest-ever performances at the BBC and the truly extraordinary career that has earned her a reputation as one of the best British vocalists of the past six decades. Alongside a selection of hits that includes Pearl’s a Singer, No More the Fool, Lilac Wine and Fool If You Think It’s Over are Elkie’s memories of those songs, stories of her encounters with fellow artists like Robert Palmer and Chris Rea, and personal insights into what has inspired her and kept her going over all these years.

Sail away into the calm with this celebration of Enya, Ireland's most successful solo artist. She took the world by storm with her first single, Orinoco Flow, which stayed at the top of the UK charts for three weeks in 1988. Since then, she's released nine albums in the top ten, won multiple awards and has even had a fish named after her. Enya brought New Age music to the masses, all while maintaining her privacy, rarely giving interviews and never touring. She is an artist releasing music on her own terms, quietly and powerfully shaping the musical landscape.

The Bothy Band reunite to perform for the first time in almost 50 years. Formed in 1975, the traditional music group brought their unique sound to many countries during their three years together, creating a musical legacy that still resonates and influences many present-day musicians. We hear from surviving band members Matt Molloy, Dónal Lunny, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Kevin Burke, Paddy Glackin and Paddy Keenan as we follow them through rehearsals for their homecoming concert in Dublin’s inner city, where they first performed. The group share personal stories about the trials and tribulations of life on the road, what brought them together, and the fallout that ultimately led to them going their separate ways.

Elaine Paige takes another toe-tapping trip through the BBC's archives, rustling up the biggest show tunes from Britain's best-loved musicals. From Les Mis to Joseph, Oklahoma! to Hamilton, there's something for everyone. Featuring stunning turns from some of the biggest names in the business, such as Dame Shirley Bassey, Alfie Boe, Hugh Jackman and Barbara Dickson, and a set of wonderful cast ensembles.

The incredible story of a band you may never have heard of but whose sound has influenced generations with their irresistible rhythms and message of peace.

If you didn’t know that Rockin' All Over the World is by John Fogerty and not Status Quo, or that Roberta Flack wasn’t the first to perform Killing Me Softly, then prepare for a night of massive musical surprises. This is a top 40 compilation of songs that became bigger hits for the artists who covered them - but here, we’re going back to the source material, serving up the incredible original versions, with artists including Gladys Knight, The Zutons, Neil Diamond, Nine Inch Nails, Dolly Parton and The Village People.

Paul Simon's Graceland album is one of his greatest achievements - a brilliant fusion of African rhythms and western pop which became a global phenomenon. It also proved hugely controversial, as Simon broke the UN-backed cultural boycott of a country still under the grip of apartheid. Joe Berlinger's film captures Simon's return to South Africa some years on and contrasts the value of individual artistic expression against collective political action as instruments of change. Includes interviews with key anti-apartheid activists of the time and such musical legends as Quincy Jones, Harry Belafonte, Paul McCartney, David Byrne and Peter Gabriel.

Another deep dive into the BBC’s music archives, where the musical map is pointed away from Top of the Pops on a quest to uncover 40 rarely seen performances and hidden gems. Featuring Bronski Beat’s first BBC performance of Smalltown Boy, Rihanna’s rockier version of Umbrella, Sophie Ellis-Bextor covering Pulp’s Do You Remember the First Time? and Kate Bush pairing up for a tango during Hounds of Love. These tucked-away treats and many, many more make this a journey that musical fans are certain to treasure.