Steve Lamacq facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steve Lamacq
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Lamacq at Camden Crawl in 2011
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| Born |
Stephen Paul Lamacq
16 October 1964 |
| Spouse(s) | Jen Willis (2019–present) |
| Children | 1 |
| Career | |
| Show | Steve Lamacq |
| Station(s) | BBC Radio 6 Music |
| Time slot | 16:00 – 19:00 Mondays |
| Style | Disc Jockey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Previous show(s) | The Evening Session In New Music We Trust, BBC Radio 1 Steve Lamacq's Rock College, BBC Radio 2 |
Stephen Paul Lamacq (born 16 October 1964), often known as Lammo, is a famous English radio presenter and DJ. He is well-known for playing new and independent music. He currently works at BBC Radio 6 Music.
Steve Lamacq received a special award called a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This award was given to him in 2025 for his great work in radio and for supporting music places.
Contents
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Growing Up and First Steps in Journalism
Steve Lamacq grew up in a village called Colne Engaine in Essex, England. He went to The Ramsey Academy school starting in 1976.
He was inspired to become a DJ after hearing the song "Electricity" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. He wanted to play similar interesting music on the radio. Before becoming a DJ, he studied journalism and worked as a junior reporter. Like many music fans, he also created his own small, homemade music magazine called A Pack of Lies.
From Magazines to Radio and Record Labels
While working at the music magazine NME, Steve started DJing on an unofficial radio station called Q102. This station later became XFM.
In 1992, he started his own record label called Deceptive Records with two friends. The label released music that often sounded like punk-pop. Their most successful band was Elastica. The record label closed down in 2001.
Between 1995 and 1997, Steve sometimes hosted the TV show Top of the Pops on BBC One. He often presented it with another Radio 1 DJ, Jo Whiley.
Steve is a big fan of the football team Colchester United. He even trained as a goalkeeper at their training ground for his 50th birthday! He has also written a book about his life called Going Deaf for a Living. You might have also seen him hosting the main stage at the Reading Festival many times.
Steve Lamacq's BBC Radio Journey
Starting at GLR and Radio 1
In the early 1990s, Steve Lamacq often appeared on the Gary Crowley show on a BBC station called GLR. He would share information about upcoming concerts and the top 20 independent music songs.
His big break came at BBC Radio 1. From 1993 to 1997, he hosted The Evening Session with Jo Whiley. He then hosted it by himself until 2002. This show was very important for new music.
He also hosted Lamacq Live every Monday evening from 1998 to 2006. This show was known for being very important for independent music. It ended as Radio 1 wanted to appeal to younger listeners.
Steve also presented special shows and documentaries for Radio 1. He hosted the In New Music We Trust program until 2009, when he left Radio 1.
Moving to BBC Radio 6 Music
Steve Lamacq then moved to BBC Radio 6 Music, a digital radio station. His show there was described as "the UK's most influential indie radio show." From April 2005, he started hosting the daily afternoon show on BBC Radio 6 Music.
In 2010, Steve and Jo Whiley reunited for a special Evening Session show on BBC Radio 6 Music. In 2016, Steve broadcast from Hull as part of a tour to support small music venues.
In September 2023, it was announced that Steve would change his schedule. From January 2024, he would host one weekly show on Mondays called Steve Lamacq’s Teatime Session.
Other Radio Appearances
Besides his main show on 6 Music, Steve also hosted a weekly show on BBC Radio 2. On this show, he played his favorite music and introduced listeners to new artists.
In 2007, he filled in for fellow presenter Bob Harris on Radio 2. Bob Harris was away for medical treatment. Steve has also appeared as a guest on the sports discussion show Fighting Talk.
Weekenders Mix Album
Weekenders is a special music album that Steve Lamacq mixed himself. It was released in 1996. A mix album is like a DJ set recorded for you to listen to.
This album combined dance music with indie and alternative rock songs. It featured popular Britpop songs like "Common People" by Pulp and "Girls & Boys" by Blur. It also included electronic music from artists like The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy.
Images for kids
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Lamacq at Camden Crawl in 2011
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Lamacq backstage at the Glastonbury Festival's BBC Introducing Stage in 2011
