Amy Lamé explores power of devoted fan culture in new series SUPERFANS!

Amy Lamé presents a new four-part series, SUPERFANS!, on BBC Radio 6 Music, exploring the stories of artists’ careers through the eyes of their most devoted fans.

Across episodes, the series focuses on The Smiths (19 January), Prince (20 January), Charli xcx (21 January) and Depeche Mode (22 January).

Amy Lamé says: “Every music enthusiast has a favourite band or artist, but some fans are bigger than others. In SUPERFANS!,

“I explore the intensity of fan culture, from tattoos and bootleg vinyl to social media blowups and overnight queues. I can’t wait to bring these stories to listeners.”

The first episode on The Smiths features broadcaster and author Terry Christian, reflecting on growing up in Manchester in the early 80s and moving in Johnny Marr and Morrissey’s circles, alongside musician Camilo Lara, who discovered the band in Mexico and now reimagines their songs through his project Mexrrissey.

Andrew Peresi, Morrissey’s former drummer, discusses the enduring devotion of the band’s fan community, and Bristol-based superfan Angie Parsons recalls quitting her job in 1986 to follow The Smiths’ UK tour.

Tuesday’s episode dives into Prince, featuring broadcaster Bobby Friction, performer Kit Green, and Minnesota Timberwolves’ Chief Marketing Officer Mike Grahl, exploring how Prince influenced music, performance, gender identity and fan devotion, including through sports connections.

Wednesday shifts to Charli xcx superfans, known as Angels. Lamé speaks with Manchester DJs Olly Waldron and Monopoly Phonic, who created Charli-inspired club nights, and PhD student Katie MacLean, who draws links between Charli’s lyrics and the Romantic poets.

The final episode examines Depeche Mode, featuring Deb Danahay, former partner of Vince Clarke and co-founder of the official Depeche Mode Information Service, conceptual artist Jeremy Deller, who co-created Our Hobby Is Depeche Mode, and Tallinn bar founder Härmo Liiv, who discovered the band through tapes in Soviet-era Estonia. Each shares how the band’s sound and story inspired generations of devoted followers.

SUPERFANS! will air on BBC Radio 6 Music next Monday 19 to Thursday 22 January, 11pm – 12am.