Go behind the scenes as your favourite artists and bands break down how they make a hit song their own and prepare a cover for Radio 1’s Live Lounge. Presenter Abbie McCarthy visits acts to discuss their creative process as they experiment with modern classics ahead of their performance in the world’s most famous live music showcase.
Episodes will be published when available after Live Lounge broadcasts.
Go behind the scenes as your favourite artists and bands break down how they make a hit song their own and prepare a cover for Radio 1’s Live Lounge. Presenter Abbie McCarthy visits acts to discuss their creative process as they experiment with modern classics ahead of their performance in the world’s most famous live music showcase.
Episodes will be published when available after Live Lounge broadcasts.
Aussie group 5SOS break down how they gave us the gift of a Disclosure mash-up with Sam and Normani’s Dancing With A Stranger. Plus they share their pure terror after teaming up with One Direction, and losing fear in their vocal ability.
Pop superstar Carly Rae Jepsen breaks down why she chose the Disclosure-produced bouncy synth beat of Khalid’s Talk to cover. Plus she talks covering her idols’ songs in front of them, throwing out the rulebook for her new album, and embracing disco.
Singer-songwriter Jade Bird breaks down why she went electric for the first time for the Live Lounge, and how she gave Halsey’s emotional pop ballad a Jeff Buckley inspired rock edge. Plus she chats crying on stage, her generation’s approach to music, and weird warm-ups.
Scandi singer-songwriter Sigrid breaks down how she stripped back the biggest selling track of 2018, One Kiss, to create a romantic piano-led ballad with soaring harmonies. Plus she chats the influence of Norway, adapting Beyoncé and hearing her idol cover her work.
BRITs Critics Choice winner Sam Fender breaks down how he gave the record-breaking trap-pop track break up with your girlfriend, i'm bored by pop queen Ariana Grande, a melancholy 80s guitar sound. Plus he shares the full story behind his Ariana music video rejection.
BRITs British Breakthrough Act nominee Jorja Smith tells why she picked the ultimate breakup record Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake.
Singer-songwriter and BRITs British Breakthrough Act nominee Tom Walker breaks down why he chose to tackle Adele’s intimate piano ballad and first ever song, Hometown Glory.
BRITs British Breakthrough Act nominees IDLES turn up the noise and break down how they added their punk energy to a medley of The Streets’ garage classics from Original Pirate Material, with a couple surprises thrown in including Harry Styles.
R&B star and BRITs British Breakthrough Act nominee Mabel explains how she turned Little Mix’s club anthem Touch into a stripped back soulful cover, and why she dropped Drake into the mix.
Clean Bandit tell us why they chose 90s reggae pop song All That She Wants by Ace of Base to mash up with the ultimate Christmas song. Plus Marina shares her thoughts on what makes the perfect festive tune.
Folk rockers Mumford & Sons break down how they reimagined Ariana Grande’s deeply personal hit Breathin on a grand scale with the help of the London Contemporary Orchestra for an unforgettable Live Lounge special.
In his studio on the edge of Loch Fyne, Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi breaks down how he turned Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper’s epic country duet Shallow from A Star Is Born into a stripped back ballad for his debut Live Lounge. Plus he discusses trying to be Justin Bieber and George Ezra’s lasting influence.
In their studio Manchester band Pale Waves break down how they turned Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa’s club banger One Kiss into an emo-pop anthem for their debut Live Lounge. Plus they chat music production, hearing their songs covered on YouTube and what they’d do if they weren’t in a band.
One of the most iconic spaces for any band to play. Join us behind the scenes of Radio 1's Live Lounge. The most recent episodes including full tracks are available on BBC Sounds.