Hearing a top artist perform live is always a treat. If you know they will be doing something new or different, that’s a huge attraction too. So the chance to hear them play with a top orchestra performing a short but very special and exclusive setlist is a must-have occasion.
That's where the remarkable BBC Piano Room series steps in. It’s been running for many years now and has just closed the studio doors on the 2025 sessions. It ran during February 2025 with 16 sessions featuring top artists. During February, the BBC Piano Room recorded its 100th session.
The majority of the sessions follow the same format. The artists are all backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Maida Vale studios in London. The sessions are usually broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 and recorded and filmed for sharing afterward. The artists all perform three songs, with the criteria being something of their own that's new, a classic from their back catalog, and a cover song.
The full sound of the orchestra usually means an enhanced and different version of the artist's own songs. That often brings an added twist and depth to them. The cover songs are often incredibly varied and a step away from the artist's usual style.
The BBC Piano Room sessions 2025
The list of artists for February 2025 was particularly strong. It kicked off with Coldplay and included a broad range of artists picking up the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Teddy Swims, and Kate Hudson along the way. The 2025 series ended with Take That's Gary Barlow on Thursday, February 27.
There were many highlights in this series. Coldplay had the only session that wasn't broadcast live. They recorded theirs before heading off on their latest tour. That allowed for an extended session to be recorded. Their chosen cover song was The Proclaimers’ “Sunshine On Leith” bringing a huge admission from Chris Martin that he’d never heard it before.
My favorite session was Franz Ferdinand. They have only recently released their latest album, The Human Fear, and played the new single “Night and Day.” The band also reminded us how great their early work was with a brilliant live version of “Take Me Out.” Who'd have thought they'd have played “Toxic” by Britney Spears as a cover? It worked very well and highlights part of the charm of the Piano Room series.
More amazing BBC Piano Room sessions and how to hear and see them
Elkie Brooks had an amazing session on her 80th birthday, sounding fabulous still. Her Rag N’ Bone Man cover was superb. There was also a reunion with two of 10cc’s original members, Graham Gouldman and Kevin Godley, getting together again. Tom Grennan covering Harry Nilsson’s “Without You” was another classic moment.
The sessions are all available on BBC Sounds worldwide. The video recordings are available on BBC iPlayer, although regional restrictions apply. There is also a collection of the sessions from 2025 and previous years on the BBC YouTube channel.
The artists performing at the BBC Piano Room 2025 (in date order)
- Coldplay
- Kim Wilde
- Tom Grennan
- Mica Paris
- Myles Smith
- Kiefer Sutherland
- Celeste
- 10cc’s Graham Gouldman and Kevin Godley
- Natasha Bedingfield
- Deacon Blue
- Chesney Hawkes
- Kate Hudson
- Franz Ferdinand
- Elkie Brooks
- Teddy Swims
- Gary Barlow