Radio 2’s summer of music includes Bruce Springsteen presenting his own show

Bruce Springsteen has been lined up to present his own show on BBC Radio 2 as the station returns to its pre-covid programme timings.

The show, Bruce Springsteen: From My Home To Yours, first heard on SiriusXM E Street Radio in the US, sees him playing records from his own personal collection. He also shares his thoughts about the times we’re living in, from his home in New Jersey.

The series is also available to listen to on BBC Sounds live and on-demand (midnight-1am from Saturday 25 July).

Other highlights from Radio 2’s summer of music schedule include Levis Roots returning to play reggae from Saturday 25 July, 8pm – 9pm and The Keith Urban Playlist is back for a four-week run from Saturday 8 August, 8pm – 9pm.

Keith Urban says: “I think there’s just so many people in the world that don’t feel understood, and when you hear a song and you go, ‘Oh, that song understands me’, that’s an amazing feeling. I get it when I listen to the radio… That’s a beautiful part of music.”

In My Life In A Mix Tape, stars will create their own playlist of their favourite tunes, revealing the stories behind them and why they mean so much. These include British actors Emilia Clarke, 9pm, Saturday 15 August and Keeley Hawes in September.

In Bob And Greg, Radio 2 celebrates the 50 year career of Bob Harris. Known for his love and expertise knowledge of music, Bob has accomplished many unique achievements since his first ever BBC broadcast on Radio 1 on 19 August 1970.

In this special programme, Greg will talk in depth to Bob about his life – including writing sleeve notes for an unknown Elton John, watching Bob Marley play, and touring with bands like Led Zeppelin; his influences and his constant search for the next big thing (9-10pm, Saturday 22 August).

Bob Harris says: “Greg and I have become great friends over recent years. I am a huge fan of his and I am really looking forward to reminiscing with him about my 50 year long career and my love and support of new music, from Bowie and Bolan via John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen to Kacey Musgraves, Lukas Nelson and the stars of Nashville Tennessee. We’ll be going behind the scenes of some of my favourite interviews and on-air moments and playing a selection of amazing music from across the decades.”

Greg James said: “Bob is one of the all-time radio greats and a hero to music fans all over the world. I feel very lucky that I get to sit down with him and hear some of his infamous stories and play a load of his favourite songs. I’ll also make sure to get some tips on how to stay on the radio for as long as he has because I’m bad with money and my crippling mortgage won’t pay itself off!”

There will also be two shows to mark the 25th anniversary of the Blur v Oasis chart battle in 1995 – one hosted by Claudia Winkleman, another by Jo Whiley.

And Radio 2 teams up with ten BBC Local Radio stations in the north of England to celebrate The Great Northern Playlist on Sunday 16 August at 7pm. Craig Charles will host a programme simulcast on Local Radio stations and broadcasting pieces of music recorded in lockdown by the BBC Philharmonic, after listeners voted for the most iconic tune to represent their area.

Helen Thomas, Head of Content Commissioning, says: “I’d like to thank the Radio 2 presenters and production teams for their incredible work during the pandemic, but it’s now fantastic that next week we’ll be getting back to a more familiar schedule. I’d also say a huge thank you to the listeners for their company and support over these last few months – their positive feedback and wonderful messages to our shows has kept us all going.”