Sounds of the 60s Live: Hosted by Tony Blackburn OBE

Tony Blackburn brings Sounds of the 60s Live to the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on Wednesday 16 September 2026. It's a touring show that takes his BBC Radio 2 programme and puts it on stage, so the whole night is built around the music of the 1960s. The set mixes live music with stories and memories from the decade, and Blackburn hosts the evening himself.

The music comes from the Sounds Of The 60s All Star Band & Singers, who cover a wide range of the era's biggest names. You'll hear The Everly Brothers, Elvis, The Drifters, Marvin Gaye, The Rolling Stones, The Walker Brothers, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Stevie Wonder, along with soul tracks. It's a broad run through the decade, so it pulls from pop, rock and soul rather than sticking to one corner of the scene.

Blackburn is a household name in British broadcasting, and 2026 marks 62 years since his first broadcast on the pirate station Radio Caroline South in 1964. He's worked at BBC Radio 1 and Top of the Pops, and since 2017 he's been the voice of Sounds of the 60s on BBC Radio 2. He's picked up 37 industry awards, including two Gold Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Radio in 1989 and 2014 — the only person to receive the honour twice. Back in 2002, he was also the first winner of I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.

Talking about the tour, he says: "The reaction to these shows has been amazing, it’s pure joy seeing audiences singing and dancing along to the greatest decade of music. Every night feels like a celebration, not just of the songs, but of the memories they bring back. 2026 is going to be another fantastic year for the tour, and I can’t wait to travel the country with this amazing band, sharing the music I’ve loved my whole life."

The show starts at 19:30, and tickets start from £38.75.