The series comes as BBC partners, the V&A, launch the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse. The David Bowie Centre is a new working archive for the world's largest collection dedicated to Bowie's life and works, with free rotating displays of highlights from the collection.
What Would Beth Ditto Do? Beth Ditto joins Nick Grimshaw on the 6 Music Breakfast Show (weekdays 7-10am) every Tuesday from 16 September. The singer, songwriter and Gossip frontwoman will share her take on life's small dilemmas, responding to listeners' quandaries with her signature wit, wisdom and unique honesty. What Would Beth Ditto Do? will also be available in vision each week on 6 Music's YouTube channel.
Beth says: "I'm so excited to be joining 6 Music and to get to work with Nick every week is just the cherry on top. I've always been a huge fan of the station, so honestly... I'm so excited, I'm speechless. Which should work out great for radio!"
In November, Beth will also host a new series, Indie Forever Disco with Beth Ditto (20 x 120") for BBC Sounds, in which she'll celebrate the biggest and best indie hits for the dance floor - from classic tracks to the hits of tomorrow.
Grounding (12 x 120"), a series which celebrates the unique perspectives and creativity of neurodivergent artists, will be broadcast Monday - Thursday, 11pm-1am from 15 September - 2nd October. Emma-Jean Thackray (15 - 17 September), Gary Numan (18 and 22 - 23 September), Blindboyboatclub (24 - 25 and 29 September) and AFRODEUTSCHE (30 September and 1 - 2 October) each present three, two-hour episodes.
Across the series, they share their stories, explore how their neurodivergence shapes their relationship with music and highlight the songs that hold personal significance.
The following quotes are presented in full to preserve the integrity and context of each artist's experience.
Emma-Jean says: "I feel like I've been really brave making these shows about my neurodivergences. I've opened up more on these shows than I do with my loved ones, particularly about my OCD, in the hope that sharing my experiences will help others feel less alone or illuminate them. Telling my story with music is the only way I know how to express myself and my story is inextricably woven with my neurodivergence. It's how I make the art that I do."
Gary says: "When I was asked to record some radio shows and express, through the music I listen to, how I get through life as a neurodivergent musician, I failed instantly. The problem is, when I’m not writing music, I don’t listen to music at all. Not to relax, not to remember, not to soothe my worries or lift my spirits. I write music to cope with the world. That’s how music helps me. I am Autistic and I know I interact with the world differently, awkwardly. It’s often difficult, challenging, even frightening at times, but I see my neurodivergence as a gift, not a disorder. It gives me so much more than it takes. I hope people take away from the shows this one simple truth; we are not damaged, not broken, we are just different."
Blindboyboatclub says: "I’ve worked in TV for years and have gone through great lengths to come across as “normal”. I’ve always wanted to share my love and passion for music on the radio, but have never been given the opportunity because of a fear that I’d be perceived as being too strange or eccentric for such a mainstream platform. It was a pleasure to make these Grounding episodes, because I got to be my authentic autistic self."
AFRODEUTSCHE says: "When I was asked to put music together for these Grounding shows, I'll admit - I felt a bit overwhelmed, then I realised it was a rare chance to let people in on the quieter, more personal moments of my life. (That's what I love about radio) I can share stories through music, without being right in the spotlight. I really don't like being in the front, or being seen... (Some might find surprising). This is my journey - from before my diagnosis to now - with songs I've written and music that's touched my heart. Some of it no one's ever heard before. Stories of love, understanding love, relationships to music/art/light/colour, and parts of my private life I've often kept hidden... It's not easy sharing the deeper parts of myself; I tend not to; but I'm taking a brave stand and opening up! I'm taking some of my own advice "If it scares you Henrietta and a voice says that you can't do this, you're no good.... DO IT". So here I am, I'm opening up and sharing the hidden corners of my life that music makes a little less lonely and fills me up with connection and joy."
Episodes delve into themes that shape the host's world: AFRODEUTSCHE will share how being neurodivergent informs her experience of love, privacy and relationships; Blindboyboatclub explores his identity as an autistic adult, with programmes centring on creativity, escape and solitude; Emma-Jean, an autistic artist with ADHD and OCD, discusses intrusive thoughts, sleep and solitude. Gary reflects on being autistic, focusing on themes of obsession, emotion and misunderstanding.