Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

Radio 6 Music,27 Jun 2026,120 mins

Music, chat and The Beta Band’s Steve Mason

Radcliffe and Maconie

Available for 28 days

Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie present a feast of great music and chat for weekend breakfast. Today they are joined by Scottish singer, songwriter and founding member of The Beta Band, Steve Mason. Steve shares his ‘First, Last and Everything’ - that’s his first record, the most recent one he's enjoyed and the record that means ‘everything’ to him. He also chats about his recent autobiography ‘Failure Is Always An Option: Glorious Adventures On The Beta Band Front Line & Other Tales’. Formed in 1996 the band were quickly embraced in the media and hailed by famous fans from Radiohead to Noel Gallagher. Following their 2004 break-up, Mason also recorded two EPs and an album as King Biscuit Time and has since had an incredible solo career, releasing six critically acclaimed albums, including his most recent in 2023 ‘Brothers & Sisters’. In 2025 The Beta Band reformed to play a series of live shows, with their Autumn UK tour rapidly selling out. Also on the show ... long-running feature The Chain, which gives listeners the chance to pick a track that links in some way to the last. The list now contains over 8,700 songs. With a selection of music old and new to get the weekend started. Produced in Salford by Audio Always for BBC Radio 6 Music.

Programme Website
More episodes

Tracklist

  1. Track
    Artist
  2. 1.
    Assessment
    Assessment
    The Beta Band
  3. 2.
    Ugly
    Ugly
    Chloe Slater
  4. 3.
    My Jamaican Guy
    My Jamaican Guy
    Grace Jones