Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone

XTC's Andy Partridge joins Stuart to talk about the Dukes of Stratosphear reissues.

Plus a '79-'83 themed University Of The Strange from the angular and austere academic 'Prof' Justin Spear.

And, as if that wasn't enough, there's a new session from post-punk-art-skronk-sax-wielding veterans Blurt!

Stuart presents a post-punk special featuring Swell Maps, The Raincoats, Wire and others.

And, as if that wasn't enough, you also get a Kevin Ayers Top Gear session from 1970. It's gotta be better than Antiques Roadshow...

Stuart is joined by author Jonathan Coe and musician Sean O'Hagan.

Stuart spins the weirdest and most wonderful songs from the world's great female artists.

Robo-rock from Modified Toy Orchestra, disturbing folk from Fresh Maggots and more.

Great uncle Maconie introduces us to Popol Vuh's prog masterpiece Sei Still, Wisse Ich Bin

He then puts his feet up for 19 continuous minutes of Australian jazz from The Necks, after which he's back to work to offer Live Freaks in the form of an unlikely Wu-Tang Clan cover courtesy of New York saxophonist Steve Lehman.

Stuart pays homage to German electronic project Oval's second album Systemisch.

Plus Stuart indulges his passion for sixties swing, minimal techno, dreamy piano, tortured balladeers and screaming saxophones all in the same show - you couldn't make it up!

Stuart Maconie pays tribute to Matt Berry's favourite band, Lincolnshire trio Forest.

Plus Stuart tickles our fancy with dubstep, garage rock, prog and folk, and throws the spotlight on Miles Davis' live album 'The Unissued Japanese Concerts'.

Among other things, Stuart Maconie delves into Wire's album 'Chairs Missing'.

If that weren't enough Scandinavian free jazz, this week's Live Freaks comes courtesy of another Norway combo, Elephant 9, and a track delightfully titled 'DooDooVooDoo'.

Stuart dives into 2003's 'The Stix' by Norwegian experimental jazz outfit Jaga Jazzist.

Even if you don't like James Bond, and there are plenty of you out there, you should have a casual affection for its iconic musical themes. 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' has been called the best of the lot, but you try telling that to Tina Turner. Either way, Stuart treats us to the choice cuts from this 1969 Bond flick. Shaken, certainly. Stirred, you will be!

Sorry.

Stuart dips a freaky toe into John Barry's pool.

Featured Album. It's always fun to hear The Fall, especially the first ever Fall

record to make the UK charts, hence the reason why Stuart has handpicked this spikey

beauty especially for you. Also among tonight's freaky offerings, nearly five

minutes of mathcore from Watford's finest, Sikth.

Stuart Maconie takes a listen to The Fall's 'Hex Induction Hour', among other things.

This week, Stuart looks at Isotope's ace album ‘Illusion' and gets some freaky live action from a double team combo of MC5 & Primal Scream. Its far out, man.

Expect lush soundscapes, banging beats, angular guitars and tender instrumentals all within minutes of each other, presided over with fathomless knowledge by your gracious host. Not exactly what you'd call mainstream, but it cuts deep and oozes non-pretentious musical profundity.

Stuart looks at Isotope's ace album 'Illusion

This week, Stuart looks at Isotope's ace album ‘Illusion' and gets some freaky live action from a double team combo of MC5 & Primal Scream. Its far out, man.

Road-weary Stuart is back from the world's greatest festival to spin yarns about the freaky music that he's voluntarily exposed himself to at Glastonbury, including live tracks from Battles and Everything Everything. There's a whiff of normality too, as his Featured Album is from Scottish postmodernist Momus.

This week Stuart revels in the glory of Slapp Happy's fifth album 'Acnalbasac Noom' (a reversal of Casablanca Moon), and celebrates some live freakery courtesy of James Blake.

This week, Stuart picks at the bones of Sun O))) & Boris, and also enjoys eight minutes of improvised saxophone from Joe McPhee. I know!

All that, plus King Crimson provides a magically hefty chunk of musical goodness, courtesy of four tracks from the 1974 album 'Starless and Bible Black'. Plus Stuart picks Lamb as this week's Live Freaks.

Two hours of musical brainstew courtesy of great uncle Stuart, featuring King Crimson.

This evening Stuart chooses Mark Fry's 1972 record 'Dreaming With Alice' as his Featured Album. Plus Live Freaks from Sandy Denny.

Stuart chooses Mark Fry's 1972 record Dreaming With Alice as his Featured Album.

This evening Stuart examines Magma's '1001 Centigrades' in his Featured Album slot. Plus Live Freaks from Tim Berne, Jim Black & Nels Cline recorded at John Zorn's freaky music venue, The Stone, in New York.

Stuart examines Magma's 1001 Centigrades in his Featured Album slot.

This evening Stuart picks The Pop Group's 1979 classic 'Y' to be his Featured Album. Plus Live Freaks from Emerson Lake & Palmer.

Stuart picks The Pop Group's 1979 classic Y to be his Featured Album.

Stuart puts Opeth's 'Watershed' album through the Featured Album mill. Plus Live Freaks from Cubic Zirconia.

Stuart puts Opeth's Watershed through the Featured Album mill.

This evening it's all about you, the Children of the Zone. You chose every track this week, and we hope you jolly well like the programme you created.

It's all about you, the Children of the Zone. You choose every track.

Stuart at last plays Swedish progger Bo Hansson's 'Music Inspired by Watership Down'. Plus saxophonist Tom Challenger is this week's live freak.

Stuart at last plays Swedish progger Bo Hansson's Music Inspired By Watership Down.

Stuart presents a featured album from John Cale & Terry Riley, plus he sticks his neck out for a Live Freak session from Triosk.

Stuart presents a featured album from John Cale and Terry Riley.

This evening Stuart looks at the highly-rated, but sadly only solo 1998 album from Talk Talk frontman Mark Hollis. Plus a lovely Live Freaks session from London electronic duo Mount Kimbie.

Stuart looks at the highly-rated only solo album from Mark Hollis.

This week Freakmaster General Stuart Maconie pours over the cult krautrock classic, 'Die Grune Reise' (The Green Journey) by AR & Machines. Plus Stuart replays a Radio 3 session from Robin Williamson & Howard Skempton.

Stuart pours over the krautrock classic, 'Die Grune Reise' by AR & Machines.

Flower by name and by nature, the sisters began recording their own ethereal sounds after performing in a psychedelic group called Crystal Fountain. In 1969, aged just 17 and 13 years old respectively, Wendy and Bonnie released Genesis - the first, and last, album they recorded together.

Now seen as a cult classic, and in high demand due to its limited copies, Genesis has found fans in Stereolab, Jarvis Cocker and Andy Votel. The Super Furry Animals also opened their 2003 album, Phantom Power with the Flower sisters' track, By The Sea.

The sisters both went on to pursue musical careers, but never recorded together again. In 2007, Wendy Flower told BBC Manchester: 'It means so much to me when people tell me how much this music Bonnie and I created so long ago means to them today. It never ceases to surprise me.'.

Stuart's featured album is a 1969 release by sisters Wendy and Bonnie Flower.

A fine example of 1970s German krautrock, it skips seamlessly from art-rock to folk and spoken word in a Zappa-esque collage.

The album was sold for just 49p by the newly formed Virgin Records and enabled Faust to 'break' Britain.

Stuart features The Faust Tapes, a fine example of 1970s German krautrock.

Stuart chats to Oneohtrix Point Never about his new album Garden of Delete.

Stuart Maconie travels to the furthest flung corners of left-field music.

This week's Featured Album is the 1971 work 'Death May Be Your Santa Clause' by proto-prog outfit Second Hand. Live Freaks features Holly Herndon at the Manchester International Festival. And there's music from Lahore, Berlin and Formby courtesy of The Sachal Orchestra, Emtidi and Cavalier Song.

Stuart Maconie travels to the furthest flung corners of left-field music.

Aphex Twin Featured Album.

Music from John Maus, Focus and Mary Epworth. And a Featured Album from The Durutti Column

Speaking at Virgin's new London offices Richard tells Stuart how his unique hippy capitalism started with a painfully shy 15 year-old Mike Oldfield, a bold risk-taking attitude and his faith in good music.

The interview follows the history of the label up to the release of Sex Pistols' Never Mind The Bollocks. The signing propelled them from an alternative independent to major status following the publicity and controversy surrounding the albums title.

Richard Branson chats to Stuart Maconie about how he started Virgin Records.

Stuart takes an in-depth look at Nonesuch Records as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Plus, he speaks to artists performing in a library as part of Chaos to Order, a collaborative artistic residency curated by Everything Everything. Pianist Matthew Bourne and saxophone player Christophe de Bezenac were invited by Everything Everything to explore the sonic and visual possibilities of the performance space of Manchester Central Library. The result is a part-performance part-installation that will capture and scramble ambient sound and movements in the immediate surroundings. Stuart takes a tour of the installation and finds he is literally in on the act...

Stuart raids the music room of Manchester Central Library.

Stuart explores Liverpool's rich and bedazzling history of psychedelia.

Another world class Colin, the bass saxophonist Colin Stetson talks about his new project Sorrow, a reimagining of Gorecki's 3rd symphony performed at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival 2016. Stetson is best known for his visceral, physical playing which utilises circular breathing, multi-phonics and growling. In Sorrow, he arranges the popular symphony for a 12-piece ensemble of virtuoso players including Liturgy's Greg Fox on drums, Sarah Neufeld on violin and his sister Megan Stetson on vocals.

Stuart chats to bass saxophonist Colin Stetson and features Colin Newman's A-Z album.

This week there's new freakiness from Baltimore's Animal Collective and three Trapped Tigers, alongside classic avant garde sounds from Yoko Ono.

Can provide the Live Freaks with a session track recorded for John Peel in 1975 and Stuart's featured album is a 1966 'nuggets' classic from The Seeds.

Uncle Stuart with a freaky soundtrack including Yoko Ono and Animal Collective.

Stuart celebrates the Christmas ghost story.

The tradition of telling spooky stories at Christmas dates back to Victorian and Edwardian times - Charles Dicken's Christmas Carol is, of course, a ghost story. It was revived in the 1970s by the films of Lawrence Gordon Clark and then again in the 21st century by Mark Gattis.

In tribute Stuart brings you a collection of haunting music, spooky archive from the BBC vaults, some recordings of real ghosts and readings from his favourite uncanny stories by M R JAMES, Jean Rhys and Robert Aickman.

Listen with the lights on.

Stuart celebrates the tradition of the Christmas ghost story. Listen with the lights on.

Stuart celebrates the tradition of the Christmas ghost story with haunting music and a couple of his favourite uncanny stories. Listen with the lights on.

This week Terry Riley's A Rainbow In Curved Air gets the featured album treatment. The follow up to his break-through piece In C, A Rainbow In Curved Air moved minimalism from the classical concert hall to the grungy rock venue. Featuring Riley's virtuoso keyboard technique, tape looping and adventurous time signatures the 20 minute composition concentrates on just one chord, (the Amaj7) with unbelievable variety.

Freakmaster General Maconie features Terry Riley's A Rainbow in Curved Air.

Stuart Maconie collates tributes to Can drummer Jaki Liebezeit.

He also plays tribute to the late, great Can vocalist Damo Suzuki. with classic tracks from the three albums he recorded with the band.

Stuart plays tribute to the late, great Can vocalist Damo Suzuki.

Stuart plays tribute to the late, great Can vocalist Damo Suzuki. with classic tracks from the three albums he recorded with the band.

We Travel The Spaceways by Sun Ra is the featured album plus murky beats from Dean Blunt, Moroccan guitarist Moulay Ahmed El Hassani and Oneohtrix Point Never's new single.

Stuart celebrates the unmistakable sound of The Residents and their co-founder Hardy Fox

Stuart pays tribute to a true pioneer of the avant-garde, the late Scott Walker.

Ambient duo A Winged Victory for the Sullen talk about performing at the 6 Music Prom.

Plus a look back at the Freak Zone musical highlights of 2012 including tracks from Woodpecker Wooliams, Flying Lotus, Elephant 9 and Focus.

Stuart features a mix from Alex Neilson, singer and drummer with Trembling Bells.

After finding a scandalous quote about Alice Coltrane, Stuart honours female jazz players

Arguably her artistic high point it was her fourth solo record, released by Impulse! Records in 1971. Coltrane herself appears on piano and harp with saxophone by the almost-as-legendary Pharoah Sanders.

Plus all the stuff you'd expect from the Freak Zone: Canadian jazz, Yorkshire electronica, Japanese Girl Pop, Finnish piano explorations and a Glam Rock gem from Kim Wilde's younger brother.

Stuart's featured album is Alice Coltrane's jazz classic Journey In Satchidenanda.

Stuart chats to contemporary classical composer and electronic artist Anna Meredith.

Anna Meredith joins Stuart, orchestral jazz grooves and Jim O'Rourke's new ambient record

Anna Meredith sits in for Stuart Maconie and presents the Freak Zone.

Swedish pipe organist and singer Anna Von Hausswolff on her dramatic new record.

New York pianist, composer and vocalist Annette Peacock sits in for Stuart Maconie.

As 6 Music Celebrates: Dance Music throughout the month of April, Stuart takes the opportunity to feature a classic album from the world of experimental dance music, Aphex Twin's 26 Mixes For Cash. The album does exactly what it says on the tin; 26 mixes of other artists tunes in return for cash.

Stuart features Aphex Twin's album 26 Mixes For Cash

Plus there's new music from Claudia Quintet, Jo Mango & Friends and the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and Stuart's featured album is Faust IV, the final record from the German experimental group before they disbanded in 1973.

Stuart learns how to sing underwater from Aquasonic, plus his featured album is Faust IV.

Released in 1994, it is considered to be the first ever post-rock album after Simon Reynolds used the term in an album review for Mojo magazine. In spite of this, the album received very little media attention, in an era when Britpop was at its prime.

Influenced by the noisy guitar sounds of Sonic Youth & Butthole Surfers and hardcore bands such as Big Black and Swans. Bark Psychosis actually started life as a Napalm Death cover band, before composing their debut record.

Recorded in a church in Stratford, Hex illustrates the band's move away from its thrash rock beginnings in favour of a more atmospheric, experimental sound.

Bas Jan chat to Stuart about their appearance at Supernormal Festival.

Stuart Maconie celebrates the late British composer and drummer Basil Kirchin.

He's joined by author Tim Worthington, the man who literally wrote the book on the label, Top of the Box (vols 1 & 2).

Expect the Radiophonic Workshop, Vince Hill, Mary Mungo and Midge, and a Play Away song sampled by Eric B. & Rakim.

Plus a selection of the finest TV theme tunes known to man. Stuart's even playing some stuff from ITV!

Stuart celebrates the wonders of BBC Records with author Tim Worthington.

Stuart celebrates the wonders of BBC Records with Tim Worthington, author of the definitive book on the label, Top of the Box (vols 1 & 2).

Ben Frost talks to Stuart about his new album The Centre Cannot Hold.

Also in the show a chat with a new psychedelic supergroup called Lost Crowns that brings together members of Scritti Politti, North Sea Radio Orchestra, Stars in Battledress and Knifeworld to play densely detailed songs.

Bibio talks about his album Phantom Brickworks.

This week Stuart features a classic album from the divisive genre jazz-rock fusion, Billy Cobham's Spectrum.

Unlike so many albums within jazz-rock, Spectrum stands up in the test of time as impressive feat of hard rock, jazz improvisation and heavy grooves. The inclusion of guitarist Tommy Bolin over the more obvious and jazzier choice of John Mclaughlin offered up a raw and raucous edge that appealed to rock, jazz and funk fans equally.

On its release in 1973, Spectrum set a new standard in fusion that heavy-weight jazzers, hard rockers and funky groovers have tried to replicate ever since.

Jazz-rock drummer Billy Cobham's seminal record Spectrum is the featured album.

Stuart Maconie chats to Bitchin Bajas, plus his featured album is Miles Davis's Agharta.

Plus the featured album is Virginia Astley's From Garden's Where We Feel Secure and there's new music from Klaus Johann Grobe, Purson and Melt Yourself Down.

Stuart Maconie presents a report from Brian Eno's studio about his new album, The Ship.

Best known as a music supervisor and composer in Hollywood, Reitzell has chosen the soundtrack for Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring, Gus Van Sant's Promised Land and collaborated with Oneohtrix Point Never on various scores.

Stuart chats to Hollywood film composer Brain Reitzell about his new album Auto Music.

Expect the likes of Syd Barrett, Robert Wyatt and Jake Thackray, and the featured album is Denim's 'unsung masterpiece' Back In Denim.

Plus tunes by Blur, Pulp and the Boo Radleys... but not the ones you'd expect.

Stuart celebrates Britpop with some very British musical mavericks and eccentrics.

Stuart celebrates Britpop with a collection of Britpop adjacent music by some very British mavericks and eccentrics.

Stuart hears new information about the long-term illness of Cardiacs singer Tim Smith.

Also in the show, folk musings with electronic colours from Urban Farmhand, unsettling electronics and provoking views on the modern world from Gazelle Twin and Szun Waves haul contemporary jazz into relevance on their album New Hymn To Freedom. Plus some classics of European adventurous music from Kraftwerk, Aphrodites Child, Gong and Delia Derbyshire.

John and Luke co-founders of the independent online music magazine The Quietus join Stuart

Stuart Maconie chats to drummer Charles Hayward, founding member of This Heat.

Charles Hazlewood sits in for Stuart Maconie and plays his favourite freaky tracks.

Plus Stuart chooses a compilation of Raymond Scott's electronic works Manhattan Research as his featured album and there's new music from Goat, Alex Hutton Trio and Carbs.

Chelsea Wolfe chats about her dynamic new album of sultry vocals, sludge metal and drone.

Stuart talks to American singer-songwriter Chelsea Wolfe about the new album Hiss Spun.

Stuart speaks to Chris Carter about his 'surprisingly beautiful' new album.

Chris Cutler from Henry Cow talks about reforming the band in memory of Lindsay Cooper.

Stuart Maconie travels to the farthest-flung corners of left-field music.

Stuart chats to Chicago-based artist Hayley Fohr, better known as Circuit Des Yeux.

Instead of our usual featured album, Stuart will hand over half an hour to an artist who is currently pushing the boundaries of dance. This week it's the turn of Clark who has just released his sixth album on Warp Records, home of experimental electronica.

Electronic artist Clark takes the reins for a 30-minute mix of leftfield beats.

This week Stuart plays several tracks from Brian Eno and Cluster's first collaborative record as the featured album. The record was made in 1977, at a time when electronic music seemed boundless, technological developments happened almost daily and expansion was exponential.

Eno already had a string of successful ambient electronic records under his belt when he traveled to Conny Plank's studio in Germany where Dieter Moebius and Hans Joachim Roedelius were making music under the name of Cluster. The resulting album is an organic combination of Eno's interest in processing sounds and Cluster's clean rhythmic loops. Featuring eerie drones, Indian inspired twangs and gently modulating synths that will melt your heart.

Stuart plays several tracks from Brian Eno and Cluster's first collaborative record.

Stuart finds out about missing Coil album Backwards, original intended for release in 1995

Surrounding the interview Stuart delves into the freaky world of cult, sci-fi and horror soundtracks from across the decades.

Stuart explores The Wicker Man's soundtrack with the film's associate music director.

Current 93's 1986 debut, Nature Unveiled, creates eerie soundscapes, haunted by terrifying cries of 'she bring darkness into light' and an unescapable, sometimes claustrophobic dark atmosphere.

What this record does best is build and break indescribable tension through teasing textures, drones and heavily treated vocals. Our advice for those easily scared: turn the lights down as low as you can bare, listen in pairs and stick together. Don't say we didn't warn you!

The haunting apocalyptic debut from Current 93 is the week's featured album.

As a musician Damon needs no introduction; the founder of Blur, Gorillaz and The Good, The Bad & the Queen, he's widely regarded as one of the most innovative musicians of the past two decades.

First premiered at last year's Manchester International Festival, Dr Dee tells the story of John Dee; mathematician, astronomer, occultist and advisor to Elizabeth I. Recorded last year in Salford with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the opera sets Dee's story to a sonic backdrop of early English period instrumentation, African beats, and Renaissance flourishes, described by Albarn as 'strange, pastoral folk'.

Stuart talks in depth to Damon about the opera, his recent production work with Bobby Womack, his collaboration with Tony Allen and Flea from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Rocket Juice & The Moon - and the future of Blur.

Stuart Maconie chats to Damon Albarn and plays an performance of his opera Dr Dee.

Stuart chats to eccentric British folk artist Daniel Patrick Quinn about his new record.

Stuart chats to Alex Moskos and Nate Young about their debut album with Dan'l Boone.

We also have several tracks from the featured album, a lo-fi synth-driven record that gives 1980s goth-pop a makeover by John Maus called We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves from 2011. Plus loads of new music from the likes of Bloke Music, Time Grove, Housewives and Fumaca Preta.

Tonight's featured album marks the recent passing of its composer David Bedford. The Odyessy was an adventurous album inspired by Homer's poem and features Mike Oldfield, Kevin Ayres and an all female choir.

David Bedford's The Odyessy is the featured album, and Live Freaks is from Matthew Halsall

Stuart talks to Current 93's David Tibet about his collaboration with Youth.

Plus Stuart's featured album is Gentle Giant's Acquiring The Taste and there's new music from Oneohtrix Point Never, Julia Holter and Brad Mehldau.

Deerhoof's Greg Saunier defends creativity in pop music.

Stuart celebrates the music of Delia Derbyshire and finalises his 100 Freaky Tracks.

Martin Gore from Depeche Mode chats about his new solo electronic instrumental album.

Stuart's new favourite old record it was released by the Belgian composer and musician in 2017. It's a beautiful compilation of tracks from four different albums originally released between 1978-1982 on Lawalree's private label Editions Walrus.

Also, Stuart has some Kentucky fusion, Kingston dub, double bass atmospherics from Iceland, and sax and drum noise from London.

Stuart's featured album is Dominique Lawalree's minimalist mediation First Meeting.

Stuart's featured album is Dominique Lawalree's mesmeric minimalist mediation First Meeting. Plus leftfield music from Kentucky to Kingston.

One of pop music's earliest box sets, the album consisted of two discs, one for parents and another for children, and came complete with poems and art prints. It's now been given an even more lavish reissue.

Plus the usual compendium of weird and wonderful music from around the world.

Folk legend Donovan joins Stuart to talk about his 1967 album A Gift From A Flower to a Garden, arguably the first box set in pop music.

Plus the featured album is Holgar Czukay's Movies, his second solo album after Can and there's new music from Autechre, Legendary Pink Dots and Circuit Des Yeux's new project Jackie Lynn.

Stuart chats to Ian Helliwell, the author of a book on early British electronic composers.

The Colours of Chloe was Eberhard's first release as a bandleader and helped define the moody atmospheric sound of the now iconic European jazz record label ECM. As well as his own music, Weber is a frequent collaborator with Kate Bush, who cited him as a major influence on her recent album. He has also spent many years touring with fellow ECM artist, saxophonist Jan Garbarek.

The featured album is a 1973 symphonic jazz record from Eberhard Weber.

Tangerine Dream exploded onto the scene in 1970 with their debut album Electronic Meditation and Stuart plays several tracks from this improvised modular synth classic throughout the show.

They are often credited with being the pioneers of what was to become Krautrock, a loose label incorporating all genres of forward-thinking German music that didn't follow the Anglo-American model. Other bands under this banner include Kraftwerk. Faust, Neu! and Cluster.

Stuart chats to Edgar about this and how he has kept it fresh over the 200+ albums they have released over the years.

Stuart is joined by Edgar Froese, founder and longest standing member of Tangerine Dream.

Woozy and intoxicating; Stuart chats to guitarist and singer Eric Chenaux.

Stuart explores sci-fi music with Barbican curator Patrick Gyger.

Stuart features Eric Dolphy's jazz duets, Beyonce's sister and industrial desert rock.

Stuart Maconie travels to the farthest-flung corners of left field music.

This weeks featured album is an under-appreciated classic from British folk duo Trader Horne. The only record to be released from the collaboration between Fairport Convention singer Judy Dyble and Jackie McAuley from Belfast garage-rock group Them, it explores elements of acoustic folk, alternative songwriting and unusual instrumentation.

Stuart features an under-appreciated classic from British folk duo Trader Horne.

The featured album is from 1956 and the debut from The Viking of 6th Avenue - Moondog. Plus Saisonscape is back - a seasonal commission for emerging experimental artists to perform alongside an established headline act. This time the theme is decay and the headline act is William Basinski, Stuart will be announcing the two supporting acts throughout the show.

Stuart has live music from HMS Morris and Let's Eat Grandma from Festival Number 6.

Stuart plays several tracks from the folk-singing family band The Waterson's Frost and Fire as his featured album; middle-eastern psych band Khruangbin cover Christmas Time Is Here from Charlie Brown's Christmas Special and Kate Bush's often overlooked album Fifty Words For Snow gets a spin.

Penny and Rose from The Surround Collective talk about their annual Christmas compilation

Stuart chats to critically acclaimed film producer Stephen Woolley about music and film.

Four Tet talks to Stuart about getting out of the game but still making music.

As part of 6 Music Celebrates: 50 Years of the Cassette, Stuart has a featured album from the Belgium's Factory Benelux label. From Brussels With Love came out in 1980 and showcased 22 tracks from international new wave and avant garde scene including the Durutti Column and John Foxx.

Not released on vinyl until 6 years later, the cassette copy remains highly collectable and much sought after by fans of 1980s experimental music.

Stuart explores a cult cassette compilation from Belgium's Factory Benelux label.

There are new tunes from the High Llamas, Colin Stetson and Katlyn Aurelia Smith, plus some aquatic electro pop from Leeds and of course some Greco-Milanese seventies leftwing prog fusion.

And Stuart's featured album is Gravity, the second solo album by leftfield guitarist and composer Fred Frith. Released in 1980 by the former member of Henry Cow and the Art Bears, it has been described as an Avant Garde dance record, so get ready to shake your stuff.

Stuart's featured album is Gravity by leftfield guitarist Fred Frith.

The Space Lady and Evian Christ talk about performing at the FutureEverything festival.

Composer Gavin Bryars joins Stuart plus Music From Penguin Cafe is the featured album.

Gavin Bryars talks about his work with Father John Misty for the BBC's Biggest Weekend.

Stuart talks to Gazelle Twin and plays music from each country in world cup groups A to D.

Stuart chats to Adrian Utley and Geoff Barrow from the band who divulge that the music they heard on the Freak Zone back in 2007 was a big influence during the making of Third. They also talk about how their music making processes have changed over the years and promise a new Portishead record is not too far away.

Stuart chats to Geoff and Adrian from Portishead about their album Third

Following the release of Martin Scorsese's current George Harrison biopic, 'Living In The Material World', Stuart looks at the quiet Beatle's debut solo album, released in 1968 before the band split. It's a strange and often overlooked concept album, mainly consisting of instrumentals, made for the Joe Massot film 'Wonderwall'.

Gilles Peterson sits in for Stuart Maconie with a Brazilian Freak Zone special.

Plus the Fall's debut 'Live at the Witch Trials' gets the featured album treatment in a celebration of Manchester based artists ahead of the first 6 Music Festival at the Victoria Warehouse later this month.

Goblin founding member Claudio Simonetti chats to Stuart about their upcoming tour.

This week's featured album is a tribute to British jazz composer Graham Collier who passed away in September. Plus Live Freaks comes from rising star saxophonist Marius Neset.

Hannah Peel chats about her Mary Casio album for analogue synths and 29-piece brass band.

Hawkwind are often credited as the inventors of space rock, a genre that joined the rawness of punk and the dreamy hippy vibe of the early 1970s. Tonight Stuart celebrates their third album, Doremi Fasol Latido.

Bringing together the technical nonchalance of punk with outer space synths and the extended forms of progressive rock, Doremi Fasol Latido cemeted Hawkwind's reputation as a genre-defying band. It was also the first to feature Lemmy in his pre-Motorhead days, bringing a rougher, harder sound to the bands previous albums.

Stuart celebrates Hawkwind's third album Doremi Fasol Latido.

The album features spoken word parts from science-fiction writer Michael Moorcock based around his character Eternal Champion, a hero chosen by fate to fight for cosmic balance in the multiverse. Released in 1974 when Hawkwind had built a solid base of space-rock fans, bridging the gap between punk and hippie cultures, the album was considered their most accomplished to date.

Stuart featured album is Hawkwind's fifth studio release, Warrior on the Edge of Time.

The featured album is Black Mountain's fourth record from 2016, Stuart plays several tracks of their melodic yet heavy psych rock throughout the show. Plus a wealth of exciting new singles including Bas Jan's lament to an unsuccessful profile picture. New Zealander Connan Mockasin is back with more spacey-pop and Richard Dawson goes synth-pop with his new band, Hen Ogledd.

Visual artist and musician Alexander Tucker on how creativity transfers across artforms

Author Peter Bebergal talks about his book Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock.

Howard Eynon chats to Stuart about his 1974 album So What If I'm Standing in Apricot Jam.

Plus The Return of the Durutti Column is Stuart's featured album and there's new music from jazz giant John Sinclair and lo-fi pop queen Keel Her.

Terje Isungset chats to Stuart about the Ice Music Festival in Norway.

A round-up of the best underground and experimental gigs at independent venues

Expect music about machines and by machines plus songs about workers and mills, furnaces and factories. Plus the occasional bit of metal banging and a song about the wonders of silicon.

It's a Freak Zone industrial special exploring the music of Industry.

To mark the 6 Music Festival's return to Manchester, the world's first industrial city, Stuart explores the music of Industry

On Monday 6 Music is turning it up for All Day Rage and playing rock, emo, hardcore, punk, metal, riot grrrl and more, all day. It's all to mark the launch of ‘Amplified' on BBC Sounds where you can find back to back emo and indie tracks, whenever you want. To listen open BBC Sounds, tap ‘music' at the bottom of the app, then scroll round to find ‘Amplified'. Hit play and you can hear our new show, ‘Emo Forever', and Hayley Williams' ‘Everything Is Emo'.

A two-hour multi-genre freak out to warm up for 6 Music's All Day Rage.

Stuart chats to influential German composer Irmin Schmidt about his solo career.

Blue Monday may be the most depressing day of the year but Stu Funday certainly isn't. Cheer yourself with some joyful Ethiopian pop, bubbly Hindu disco and ecstatic Scandi prog jazz. Plus life-affirming sounds from the likes of Kate Bush, Stereolab and Ennio Morricone.

Join the Freak Zone antidote to Blue Monday - which we're calling Stu Funday.

Join the Freak Zone antidote to Blue Monday which we're calling Stu Funday - upbeat and uplifting music from the more unusual end of the musical spectrum.

Stuart invites Jane Weaver to create a Wyrd Dysko of upbeat and unusual tracks.

Stuart talks to Jean-Herve Peron about Faust's new collaborative project, Fresh Air.

Stuart is joined by Jenny Hval, who talks blood, vampires and capitalism.

Written to quash their critics who insisted they were a prog rock band, Ian Anderson decided to make the best prog album ever, but as a parody of the genre. Intended as a spoof, it was developed around the concept of a fictional child poet Gerald Bostock, an intelligent school boy who wrote about the trails of growing up.

Thick As A Brick expanded on The Tull's signature line-up (rock band plus flute) with a wealth of orchestral instruments and was recorded as one single 40-minute piece of music split over two sides of an LP. It was an instant success, reaching the top five in both US and UK charts.

Stuart celebrates Jethro Tull's 1972 album Thick as a Brick.

Jethro Tull's frontman Ian Anderson joins Stuart to talk about his TV special.

Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson sits in for Stuart as the BBC's My Generation hits the 1970s.

This week John Cale's Music For A New Society gets the featured album treatment. A quiet introspective record that came directly after the more frenzied social commentary of Honi Soit. Music For A New Society is defined by emotional fragility, tackling feelings of regret and betrayal with stripped back arrangements and raw intensity.

John Maus talks to Stuart about his album Screen Memories.

This week, Stuart chooses Love Is Real by experimental keyboardist John Maus as the featured album. Best known for his work with Arial Pink and Animal Collective, Maus' solo work is a haunting fusion of Baroque stateliness, left-field disco and sonorous vocals that tests the boundaries of pop music.

Stuart features Love Is Real by experimental keyboardist John Maus.

Plus 'outsider musician' Daniel Johnston talks about what it's like being an underground artist and Stuart's featured album is an under-appreciated classic of mid-90s trance from The Black Dog.

Counterculture icon, beat poet and MC5 manager John Sinclair chats about his new album.

Over the last decade Jonny has forged a reputation outside of Radiohead as a passionate supporter of contemporary classical music and unusual instruments such as the Ondes Martinot and the recorder. As composer in residence for the BBC Concert Orchestra he wrote the award-winning piece Popcorn Superhet Reciever. He has also written several soundtracks including Bodysong, Norwegian Wood and There Will Be Blood.

Jonny Greenwood chats to Stuart about his passion for contemporary classical music.

Stuart talks to the legendary folk singer songwriter Judy Dyble.

Julian Cope came to prominence in 1978 as the frontman for post-punkers The Teardrop Explodes. Since leaving the group he has continually championed new experimental music and built a reputation as an expert in the occult and paganism.

Stuart is joined by the archdrude Julian Cope to discuss his first novel.

Stuart Maconie talks to Julianna Barwick about her new album, Well.

Stuart chats to composer Jurg Frey about his wide and quiet soundscapes.

Stuart talks to Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith about modular synths and her new album The Kid.

Stuart chats to Kink Gong about the gong music ceremonies of south-east Asian communities.

Following on from the chart success of Autobahn, Radio Activity seems to step back into the obscure. Making abstract use of oscillators, white noise and silence, this is where Kraftwerk honed their avant-garde techniques to create catchy minimalist songs with a human heart.

Stuart celebrates Kraftwerks fifth studio album, Radio-Activity.

This week's featured album artist was discovered by Brian Eno busking in New York's Central Park on a homemade electronic zither. He loved the music so much they subsequently made an album together. The result is Ambient Three: Day Of Radiance by Laraaji, a hypnotic, shiny, gorgeous record of softly moving ambient music that was the third of four amibent records Eno released at the time.

Ambient zither music produced by Brian Eno tops the bill.

Stuart Maconie talks to composer Laurence Crane about his music.

Stuart also features Vincent Gallo's 2001 album When and there's new music from Klaus Johann Grobe, mfo, Leo Abrahams, Midday Veil and Loose Tubes.

And to mark her Lifetime Achievement Grammy, the featured album is Laurie Anderson's classic debut album Big Science. Released in 1982 its still probably the musician and artist's famous work - and spawned the oddest single ever to reach number two in the charts.

Stuart's featured album is Laurie Anderson's debut album Big Science.

Stuart's featured album is Laurie Anderson's Big Science, plus the usual mix of Scandinavian pop, electric folk and tunes about motorways and confectionary.

Stuart talks to David Hollander, author of a new book on library and production music.

This week's featured album is from Don Bradshaw Leather, an elusive artist that made one record in 1972 called Distance Between Us. A dark, gothic album with dramatic piano flourishes, haunting strings and tribal drums, it sounds like it could have been the music to the scariest silent movie ever made! We've three lengthy tracks from this freakish record plus music from folk collective Owl Service, the Rob Jo Star Band and Lotti Golden.

Stuart unearths vinyl-only leftfield music and features an album by Don Bradshaw Leather.

Stuart features Canadian composer Linda Catlin Smith and John Cage's early piano music.

This week there's brand new freakiness from Godspeed You Black Emperor and Prince Rama, alongside classic prog from Van Der Graaf Generator and a live track from Hawkwind recorded in 1985.

There's also a featured album from cult Texan musician Jandek, who's released 60 albums but thought to have only ever done two interviews in his entire career.

Stuart has freakiness from Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Hawkwind and Jandek.

Stuart is joined by Gruff Rhys to talk about his soundtrack to a new film about Dylan Thomas; folk singer Alasdair Roberts and Welsh krautrock group R Seiliog perform live; poet and jazz guitarist Don Paterson and actress Helen Griffin performs an extract of her one-woman show about Caitlin, Dylan Thomas' wife.

Stuart joins the centenary celebrations for Welsh poet Dylan Thomas live in Laugharne.

A psych flavoured Freakzone featuring a report from Liverpool Psychfest.

Plus some Brooklyn minimalism, a Mexican Avant Gard supergroup, a bit of jazz (both Chicago progressive and Norwegian folk varieties) and new music from Laura Cannell, Scanner, Daniel Sullivan and Large Plants (that's the band Large Plants, not some large plants - although in the Freak Zone you quite never know)

Stuart's featured album is Loka's Passing Place, an overlooked gem from 2011.

This week, Stuart features seminal big band Loose Tubes and their their second album Delightful Precipice. Fuelled by a witty attitude and desire to progress the music, they rejuvenated the British jazz scene for a younger audience in the 1980s.

A collective group, with no official leader, Loose Tubes featured many names that are still synonymous with great British jazz including Django Bates, Chris Batchelor and Iain Ballamy.

Stuart features seminal big band Loose Tubes and their second album Delightful Precipice.

Expect music from Iceboy Violet, William Basinksi, SOPHIE, Arthur Russell, Arca, Beverly Copeland, Meredith Monk and many more.

Also, Stuart reveals details of the Freak Zone's involvement in the Supersonic Festival to be held in Birmingham in July.

Stuart celebrates the most exciting experimental and underground LGBTQ+ artists.

This weeks featured album is the second by British prog-fusion group National Health called Of Queues & Cures. There's more underground musical adventures taking in the stateswomen of British folk Shirley Collins' new record, fiddle and recorder improvisations by Laura Cannell, sibling duo Ectoplasm Girls and Icelandic choral work from Schola Cantorum.

Stuart Maconie is joined by music writer and literature buff Andrew Male.

Stuart chats to Portuguese singer Lula Pena about her new album Archivo Pittoresco.

Plus LA soundscapes, modern jazz from Washington, ritualistic folk metal about magpies and, at long last, the theme from the Hong Kong Beat.

Macintosh Plus's Floral Shoppe came out on the Beer on the Rug label in 2011. Effectively the ninth studio album by the American electronic musician Romana Xavier aka Vektroid, it effectively created a blueprint for the electronic subgenre known as vapourwave.

Stuart brings you the record that launched vapourwave - Macintosh Plus's Floral Shoppe.

Stuart's featured album is the record that launched vapourwave, Macintosh Plus's Floral Shoppe. Plus, at long last, the theme from the Hong Kong Beat.

Matching Mole comprised of Robert Wyatt, just after his break from Soft Machine; guitarist Phil Miller fresh from his stint with Delivery; ex-Caravan keyboardist David Sinclair; and bassist Bill MacCormick.

Stuart celebrates the new release by playing several tracks from the album, plus the best in weird and wonderful music from across the decades.

Stuart features a reissue from Matching Mole, Robert Wyatt's post-Soft Machine band.

Martin Schmidt and Drew Daniels have been making dark avant-pop as Matmos since 1995. They talk to Stuart about creating domesticated music in their home studio, their love of heavy metal and enjoying Aerosmith's attempt at musique concrete.

Based in Birmingham, Supersonic has been promoting and curating cutting edge music since 2003. The annual festival combines all areas of experimental sounds from grindcore to jazz, prog rock and doom.

Baltimore electronic duo Matmos chat about their performance at Supersonic Festival.

Actor, comedian and musician Matt Berry chats about his album Music for Insomniacs.

Stuart's featured album is Tauromachine by illustrious Japanese noise-maker Merzbow.

Swans emerged from New York's no wave scene of the early 1980s alongside Sonic Youth. Famed for their outrageously loud performances Michael Gira reformed the group with a new line up in 2010 and the new material has opened their sound out to new audiences.

Swans frontman Michael Gira chats to Stuart about their new album To Be Kind.

Michael Rother from Neu! joins Stuart to talk about his music and upcoming tour.

Straight forward lyrics from a millennial perspective, calming post-metal and psychedelia

Alt-pop artist Momus chats about his three Creation Records albums from the 1980s.

Momus (aka Nick Currie) carved a name for himself in the 1980s making catchy pop tunes with lyrics that pushed the boundaries of acceptance. Hippopotamomus is a strange tribute to Serge Gainsbourg, full of sweet melodies and bubbly beats but underpinned by a dark dry humour and considered innuendo.

Stuart picks Hippopotamomus, a strange tribute to Serge Gainsbourg, as his featured album.

Stuart chats to Norwegian psychedelic prog-rock exponents Motorpsycho.

This week Stuart talks to the scandinavian trio Motorpsycho about the Freakzone's Album Of The Year 'The Tower'. All the music in the show relates to art, including tracks from Bowie, John Cage, Momus and The Art Bears. And Stereolab's mini album 'Music For The Amorphous Body Study Centre' is added to the Freakzone's Essential Collection.

Motorpsycho talk to Stuart about the Freakzone's Album Of The Year, The Tower.

Stuart's featured album is David Byrne and Brian Eno's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts.

Nate's versatile and innovative work is created with intentionally minimal means, just one microphone and basic software. His internet generation collage style has characteristically diverse influences from chip tunes to Philip K Dick, the Incredible String Band and Neil Young.

Stuart chats to Nate Henricks, a prolific lo-fi artist based in Kansas.

Since then their surreal poetic lyrics about love, life and Anne Frank; along with quirky arrangements for acoustic guitar, accordion and horns have been hailed as a 'true lo-fi pop landmark' by critics.

Stuart features a 1998 album from 90s alt-folk sensation Neutral Milk Hotel.

Guided by a love for experimental music and little knowledge of their instruments the result is a savvy interpretation of countless hours spent analysing the works of artists like Luc Ferrari, Hugh Hopper and Kraftwerk.

In fact their influences have been well documented, the sleeve for the album contained a list of 291 musicians and bands who influenced the record. It has since become a bible for fans of obscure and interesting music. On Friday's Freakier Zone Stuart spends an hour exploring the Nurse With Wound list with the help of Steve Stapleton himself.

Stuart chooses Nurse With Wound's debut as his featured album.

Stuart chats to cellist and electronic artist Oliver Coates and pays tribute to Tomita.

The featured album this week comes from British trio The Peddlers and their final album, a suite of tunes in collaboration with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Driving drums and pagan surrealism by Map 71 plus Gaye Su Akyol, the new sound of Istanbul

Inspired by the industrial sound of early 80s acts such as Throbbing Gristle, their 1997 album Kulma builds on this with restless beats, big bass drones and plenty of overdrive distortion.

The week's featured album comes from experimental electronics duo Panasonic.

Plus Stuart chats to Penguin Café's Arthur Jeffes, son of founding member Simon Jeffes, about creating a new incarnation of the group following his fathers death in 1997.

The original Penguin Café Orchestra were revered for their ability to blend exuberant acoustic folk with a minimalist aesthetic and gained international recognition through their music being used on numerous soundtracks and advertisements.

Stuart chats to members of Penguin Cafe and celebrates International Women's Day.

Plus Pete Atkin's Beware The Beautiful gets the featured album treatment and there's new music from Paddy Steer, Meg Baird and Dungen.

Pere Ubu frontman David Thomas joins Stuart to talk about midwestern groove rock.

The featured album comes from pianist and bandleader Krystof Komeda and his 1965 record Astigmatic which forged the identity of European jazz, as opposed to the previously dominant American jazz. Combining free improvisation, late romantic classical and aleatoric music it features a host of luminaries including Thomas Stanko on trumpet and Rune Carlson on drums and has been described as 'one of the finest jazz albums made in Europe' by The Penguin Jazz Guide.

Also in the show new music from Norwegian singer Torun Eriksen, Brazilian experimental samba star Elza Soares and techno producer Max Cooper.

Peter Broderick talks to Stuart about his peaceful and contemplative music.

Stuart is joined by director Peter Strickland, who talks about music and his films.

Stuart explores the phenomenon of 1970s Italian prog rock.

Stuart is joined by Ed from the duo Plaid, plus his featured album is by Bengt Berger.

Stuart hands over half an hour to an artist who is currently pushing the boundaries of dance. This week it's the turn of Jack Wyllie from Portico Quartet, a band known for their innovative approach to minimalism and groove.

Plus Stuart plays three tracks from an ambient electronic album inspired by Bleaklow, the eerie hills of the Peak District.

Stuart hands over 30 minutes of the show to Jack Wyllie from Portico Quartet.

Plus Stuart chats to experimental pop band Pram. Lovers of cult film soundtracks, library music and multi-instrumental pop music, Pram are back with a new album after 10 years. Max and Sam from the band chat to Stuart about the large scale outdoor and community arts projects they have taken on in the intervening years and coming of age as a band in Birmingham's art scene in the 1990s which inhabited Pram, Broadcast and Plone.

Stuart chats to experimental pop band Pram, back with a new album after 10 years.

Stuart finds out how to live a psychedelic life with poet and activist John Sinclair.

And Stuart's featured album is Rachel's The Sea and Bells, a gem of maritime themed chamber post rock from Kentucky.

Stuart's featured album is Rachel's chamber post rock gem The Sea and Bells.

Also, Stuart presents the first of an occasional series on featured labels with a look at Ralph Records, the label run by Freak Zone favourites the Residents, with a roster including Tuxedo Moon, the Art Bears and Yello.

Stuart looks at Ralph Records, the label run by Freak Zone favourites the Residents.

Stuart looks at Ralph Records, the label run by Freak Zone favourites the Residents, with a roster including Tuxedo Moon, the Art Bears and Yello.

Plus new music from Mauritanian artist Noura Mint Seymali, a fresh new London trio called Strobes and soulful melancholy from Lung Dart. Stuart's featured album is the debut by 1970s folk band Mr Fox to accompany a Golden Age of British Folk playlist in the Freakier Zone.

Stuart Maconie talks to singer-songwriter Regina Spektor, who is currently on her UK tour.

Stuart hears from Festival Number 6, where Laetitia Sadier chats to Andy Votel.

The usual baffling mix of music includes tracks from Ethiopian saxophonist Gétatchèw Mèkurya, classic British proggers Gentle Giant, and a new release from French crooner Jean Claude Vannier.

Stuart chooses For Beginner Piano by 1990s electro outfit Plone as the Featured Album.

Ritualistic violin from Laura Cannell, collage cut ups and Captain Beefheart's last album

This week Stuart picks Italian experimentalist Roberto Cacciopaglia's 1960s venture into pop music as his featured album. With the glamorous model Ann Steel on vocals, this little known gem is being made available on CD after many years out of print.

This weeks Live Freaks is from Hannah Peel, Ty and Jason Yarde in session at Maida Vale.

Plus Stuart pays tribute to Kevin Ayers who passed away this week. A founding member of The Soft Machine, Ayers has been a revered musician working at the fore of alternative British music all his life.

A Scandinavian music special in honour of Stuart's visit to Oslo and the by:Larm festival.

Stuart marks six decades of the good Doctor with a show packed with classic film and TV themes, some shameless but wonderful Who cash ins, numerous songs about Martians, UFOs and robots and at least one musician born on Saturn.

Also, Stuart talks to celebrated Horror/Sci Fi writer/actor/dreamweaver Garth Marenghi about his latest terrortome.

Stuart celebrates 60 years of Dr Who with a science fiction special. Plus celebrated Horror/Sci Fi writer/actor/dreamweaver Garth Marenghi.

Celebrating the godlike experimental genius of Scott Walker.

Stuart is joined by the virtuoso American drummer Greg Fox.

Stuart talks to vocalist and harpist Serafina Steer.

Things To Come is the first of two records made by Kieran O'Connor and Ken Elliott who joined forces after their more psychedelic group Second Hand disbanded. Their sound, created mostly with analogue synthesizers and orchestral percussion instruments, was a precursor to the commercial synth pop boom of the 1980s featuring lush arrangements and mesmerising melodies.

Obscure progressive synth pop from the mid-1970s? Yes, please!

Stuart finds out about WFMU, an independent free-form radio station in New Jersey.

Stuart speaks to Shabaka Hutchings about his new album with Sons Of Kemet.

Shabazz Palaces in conversation.

Also, his featured album is Abonecronedrone by mesmerising vocalist and musician Sheila Chandra. Sheila first came to attention as an actress in Grange Hill before forming the pop group Monsoon, best known for their ground-breaking hit Ever So Lonely, which fused Western pop and North Indian classical music. After the band split, she released several solo albums, developing a vocal and drone approach that drew on vocal cultures from around the world. Sadly, she had to retire from music due to ill health, but her trio of albums for Real World have just been reissued.

Stuart's featured album is Abonecronedrone by mesmerising vocalist Sheila Chandra

A curveball record from Bill Fay, contemporary harpist Mary Lattimore and Italian she-pop.

Shirley Collins' uniquely plain yet prominent voice is one of the gems of English folk, accompanied here by her sister Dolly's sparse and haunting arrangements. 1970's Love, Death And The Lady is a mournful album with tales of murderers, thieves and wrong-doing.

The follow up to the more widely known Anthems In Eden, it glows with critical praise and is often hailed as the Collins' masterpiece. The music at times, seems in opposition to the vocals rather than accompanying it, which all makes for a challenging but rewarding listen.

Folksie female siblings Shirley and Dolly Collins provide the week's Featured Album.

Stuart's featured album is Mental Notes by Split Enz, plus new music from Wayne Coyne's side project Electric Würms and live music from the Manchester Jazz Festival.

Vocalist Sidsel Endresen chats to Radio 3's Fiona Talkington at the Molde Jazz Festival.

Stuart features Meredith Monk's Doleman Music plus a chat with Silver Apples' Simeon Coxe.

Stuart plays a sizable chunk from this lyrical post-rock record, as well as tunes from Rebecca Peake, Anne Briggs and Jandek.

Stuart features Silver Mt Zion's epic instrumental album.

Stuart chats to Ben Chasny from Six Organs of Admittance about new album Hexadic.

There's music from the likes of Traffic, Moondog and Pink Floyd, songs about scarecrows and ploughboys and, of course, a couple of tunes about pagan sacrifice. This is the Freak Zone after all.

Stuart brings you an autumnal celebration celebration of all things agricultural.

In addition, his featured album is Split Enz's 1975 antipodean debut Mental Notes (not be confused with their 1976 British debut Mental Notes - don't worry, Stuart will explain all). If you only know the New Zealand band as 1980s hitmakers, prepare to be very surprised.

Stuart's featured album is Split Enz's 1975 antipodean debut Mental Notes.

Stuart's featured album is Split Enz's 1975 antipodean debut Mental Notes. If you only know the band as 1980s hitmakers, prepare to be very surprised.

Known for playing live bass on stage, electronic artist Tom Jenkinson a.k.a. Squarepusher has long admired the player piano works of Gyorgy Ligeti and the appeal of hearing familiar instruments being played in an unfamiliar way. Jenkinson describes the capabilities and limitations of the music-performing systems and the challenges he faced in making expressive, poignant music.

Squarepusher explains his new project making music for advanced Japanese robots.

Squarepusher sits in for Stuart and showcases the outer edges of his record collection.

Stephen O'Malley sits in for Stuart Maconie and embarks on a 120-minute sonic adventure.

Plus Stuart's featured album is For As Many As Will by Shirley & Dolly Collins and there's new music from Punching Swans, Matthew Halsall and David Thomas Broughton.

Harvey Milk bassist Stephen Tanner talks to Stuart about his new solo record.

Stuart Maconie chats to snooker champion and weird music enthusiast Steve Davis.

Stuart looks forward to the big events of 2014 and talks Yes with Steve Howe.

Stuart chats about prog rock with Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree.

Comic Stewart Lee sits in for Stuart with a selection of weird and wonderful records.

There's music from folk artist Daniel Patrick Quinn who quizzes The Burrymen a thistly character seen only once a year, Arthur Smith declares I've Seen Your Arse backed by high brow sound artists Rothko plus great music from jazz singer Carol Grimes and established free form punk jazzers The Ex with Ethiopian saxophonist Getatchew Mekurya.

Stewart Lee sits in for Stuart Maconie and presents an Edinburgh Fringe-themed special.

For more on the Louisville scene catch up with Friday's Freakier Zone when 6 Music's Henrietta Rowlatt joins Stuart with her favourite tracks from Rodan, Slint, Shipping News, June of 44 and more.

He also marks the passing of those in the Freak Zones world we've lost this year: Bert Jansch, Michael Garrick and David Bedford. Plus there's a cosmic Christmas mix courtesy of Jonny Trunk, guaranteed to make your turkey sandwiches taste sweeter.

Stuart plays his best freaky discoveries of 2011, plus a festive mix from Jonny Trunk.

Created in 1973, Space Is The Place is an other-worldly release from start to finish.The 20-minute title track melds hypnotic grooves, chanting vocals and psychedelic funk. Elsewhere on the record you'll find everything from skronking jams to straight-up big band jazz.

A great opening into the world of weird jazz, Stuart presents three tracks from the album throughout the programme.

Travel the spaceways with Stuart and the featured album from Sun Ra, Space Is The Place.

Yes, in honour of the patron saint of beekeepers, expect tunes from such old romantics as Dudley Moore, Throbbing Gristle and the Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir.

It's a better Valentine's Day gift than some flowers from your local garage.

As Valentine's Day nears Stuart brings you some romantic music... Freak Zone style.

As Valentine's Day nears Stuart brings you some love songs... Freak Zone style. Expect tunes from such old romantics as Dudley Moore and Throbbing Gristle.

Stuart chats to the organisers of experimental art and music festival Supernormal.

Stuart has an exclusive announcement of who is playing at the Supersonic Festival in June.

Stuart features Swans' pivotal record Children of God.

Also in the programme: a reissue of English prog-rock band Greenslade's 1973 debut, Canadian instrument builders Joyful Talk present their rugged ocean inspired electronics and Warp Records latest signing - prepared-piano player Kelly Moran's debut single.

Featuring Talk Talk's Laughing Stock, Greenslade reissued and Warp sign Kelly Moran.

Plus Stuart has exciting, exclusive news about the line ups of two exceptional festivals this spring, Supersonic in Birmingham and Safe As Milk at Prestatyn Holiday Camp.

Stuart features a chat with Canadian Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq.

Ten trombones perform underground, two tracks from Turkey and one Japanese Flied Egg.

As part of BBC Music's My Generation uncovering the history of popular music a decade at a time, Stuart looks at how Cage's writings and compositions in the 1950s helped lay a new foundation for future generations and where Cage's impact can be seen today in the outer edges of popular music.

Stuart explores the alternative side of music in the 1950s through the words of John Cage.

Plus, Stuart's featured album is a landmark of modern folk rock -the 1978 masterpiece by the Albion Band, Rise Up Like the Sun.

Stuart's featured album is a landmark of modern folk rock by the Albion Band.

Stuart explores the Brazilian counterculture movement Tropicalia with a back to back mix.

Released in 1969, Keynsham was the fourth and final 'proper' album by the artists formerly know as the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. Underappreciated at the time, it features some of band leaders Vivian Stanstall and Neil Innes finest work.

Plus modern Norwegian jazz, classic British electric folk, Italian guitar heroics and an unexpected vaporwave bonus.

Stuart's featured album is Keynsham, the fourth and final 'proper' album by Dadaist pop pranksters the Bonzo Dog Band (by this point they'd lost their doo dah).

Stuart hears about The Dark Outside FM, a station broadcasting previously unheard music.

Having formed in 1966 in Venice, they are known as one of the most notable progressive-rock acts of the 70s and one of the few Italian acts to have had success outside of their native country.

Felona e Sorona is their fourth album, released in 1973. In true prog-rock fashion, Felona e Serona is a concept album; which tells the story of two revolving planets.

The album is seen as their most successful release and was named one of the 'finest examples of Italian progressive rock' in The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock.

Stuart celebrates 2016 with guests Laura Cannell, Andrew Male and others.

Plus there's music from a 15-strong female choir based in East London, Krautrock from Conrad Schnitzler, and the unique voice of Hannah Tuulikki and her band Two Wings.

Stuart presents live music and chat from arch-drude Julian Cope at the 6 Music Festival.

Stuart chats to solo artist Chris Reeves about his super-charged angular electronic music.

The Golden Hour of The Future is a compilation of tracks recorded by the band in their early incarnations, prior to several member-changes and a deal with Virgin records.

Released in 2002, the album features 20 rare tracks, recorded in various studios and an abandoned factory in Sheffield, between 1977 and 1979.

It was compiled by record producer Richard X who has worked with the likes of New Order, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode & Nine Inch Nails.

The Golden Hour of The Future showcases the early dark-electronic sounds that The Human League would later move away from, in favour of commercially successful synth-pop.

Stuart features The Human League's early recordings for BBC 6 Music Celebrates Sheffield.

Stuart explores how Frank Zappa is viewed today, 20 years after his death.

Plus new music from Gazelle Twin, and Max Tundra, some Czech drone, a dash of Norwegian Folk and, of course, a sprinkling of occult rock form Leicester.

And if that wasn't enough Stuart joins in the spoken word fun of 6 Music's Way With Words celebration.

Charles Hazelwood's All Star Collective perform the iconic music of TV composer Barry Gray

The Pop Group formed in Bristol in 1978 and were known for their experimental and politically charged music. Combining elements of dub, punk, jazz and noise the band released two critically acclaimed albums before splitting in 1981.

Mark and Gareth chat to Stuart about their upcoming live dates and 'Cabinet of Curiosities' a new 9-track compilation of previously unreleased material.

Stuart chats to Mark Stewart and Gareth Sager from the Pop Group about their upcoming tour

Recorded in 1974 this weeks featured album was immediately locked away in a bank vault never to be seen again. Created by art-rockers The Residents under the Theory of Obscurity it was never intended to be heard by an audience and would live in obscurity until the band had completely forgotten it's existence. The record company had other ideas, and tonight you can hear three of the five tracks from this elusive release.

Also, Stuart's featured album is the Sea Nymphs' album On Dry Land. From the Cardiacs' gene pool, and featuring key members Tim Smith, Sarah Smith and William D Drake, it was recorded in the early 1990s but not released until 2016. Quieter and less frenetic than the parent band's work, it's a otherworldly collection of psychedelic pastoral folk.

Stuart's featured album is On Dry Land by Cardiacs offshoot the Sea Nymphs.

Stuart's featured album is On Dry Land by Cardiacs offshoot the Sea Nymphs, plus the usual cornucopia of Avant Garde and experimental sounds.

Stuart looks back on the relationship between Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground.

Stuart Maconie's featured album is Third Ear Band's 1969 album Alchemy.

Stuart's featured album is This Heat's debut record.

Canadian sound artist Tim Hecker joins Stuart ahead of his UK tour to chat about his music

Zero Time was the debut album by the duo of Malcolm Cecil and Bob Margouleff, and what it lacked in sales, it made up for in influence, not least on it's biggest fan Stevie Wonder . TONTO of course stood for The Original New Timbral Orchestra', which was the first multitimbral polyphonic analog synthesizer in the world. But you knew that already.

Plus improvised Italian rock, Japanese pastoral psych, orchestral pop from the Faroe Islands and of course Norwegian folk jazz.

Stuart's featured album is by pioneering electronic pop act Tonto's Expanding Headband.

And Stuart's featured album is a pioneering piece of jazz fusion Emergency by the Tony Williams Lifetime. The 1969 debut double album by the band lead by drummer Tony Williams also features Larry Young on organ and recent birthday boy John McLaughlin on guitar.

The featured album is pioneering fusion album Emergency by the Tony Williams Lifetime.

Stuart's featured album is a pioneering piece of jazz fusion album Emergency by the Tony Williams Lifetime.

Stuart chats to Chicago post-rockers Tortoise about their new album, The Catastrophist.

Robert Wyatt joins Stuart to pay tribute to Kevin Ayers, who passed away recently.

Stuart presents live music from the Tusk Festival, a showcase of international artists.

Featuring Spirit's least successful but greatest album, Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus.

This week's featured album comes from Twink (aka John Charles Alder) and his debut solo record, Think Pink, which was recorded during the closing days of his tenure as drummer for The Pretty Things.

Following the path of 60s psychedelia, no two tracks are the same and yet contain all the hallmarks from clanging noise guitar solos to slow grooves and dreamy atmospheric lyrics.

Stuart's featured album is a dyed in the wool piece of British psychedelia from 1969.

Stuart chats to Peter Hammill from Van der Graaf Generator about their thirteenth album.

Stuart Maconie celebrates Song Cycle, an often overlooked album by Van Dyke Parks.

Stuart is joined by singer Vashti Bunyan, who talks about her new record.

Also on the show, chamber pop from Soap & Skin, funky Somalian grooves and uplifting doom from A-Sun Amissa.

Stuart charts the rise of dance music in the 1990s with a classic compilation from Warp.

Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips joins Stuart with his popular guide to unpopular music.

In 2001 American composer William Basinski dug out some old tapes that he had recorded back in the early 80s. The tapes were old and were beginning to disintegrate as he played them back. Where most people would have stopped and thrown them away, Basinski hit record.

Beautiful yet melancholic the tapes took on a whole new life and it's these recordings that make up the eerie and decaying sounds of The Disintegration Loops.

Stuart Maconie's featured album is The Disintegration Loops.

Plus, music from the likes of Richard Dawson, Jerusalmem In My Heart, Laurie Anderson, Hudson Mohawke, Tirzah, John Cage and the most experimental track we've ever played on Freak Zone. Buckle up!

Stuart revisits the Swedish musician's ethno jazz album from 1981, Bitter Funeral Beer.

Plus soothing ambient organ, dramatic orchestral TV theme tunes, avant garde sample-based electronics and folk songs about Benjamin Britten's cleaner from the likes of Kali Malone, John Barry, Mira Calix and Fowl.

Stuart explores the jazz titan's 1972 album Let My Children Hear Music.

To celebrate the jazz titan's centenary, Stuart explores his 1972 album 'Let My Children Hear Music'. Described by Mingus as the best album I have ever made' among his discography of almost sixty, Let My Children Hear Music fuses together classical music and free jazz to playful and fiery effect. Charles Mingus was a virtuoso bass player, accomplished pianist, bandleader and composer who died in 1979 at the age of 56 and is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in jazz history.

Also in the show; Stuart plays several tracks from Sun City Girls' late 80s lo-fi art rock album Torch Of The Mystics, plus two new tracks from Switzerland. Firstly a Freak Zone kosmische-pop favourite Klaus Johann Grobe and then Liricas Analas - a hip hop group who rap in Romansch, Europe's most minority language spoken in a small canton in Switzerland.

Artist, musician and filmmaker Cosey Fanni Tutti on her new solo album

Stuart talks to Hannah Peel and Will Burns about their blend of synths and stark poetry.

Plus, whimsical prog rock, nature-inspired West African folk music, dreamy harp arrangements as well as moody urban electronics from Hatfield & The North, Mary Lattimore, Slotek plus more.

Stuart explores Herbie Hancock's free jazz group Mwandishi's self titled album from 1971.

Plus, Belgian avant RnB, Anglo-Rwandan experimental pop, hard new Chicago jazz and searing industrial electronics paired with drill from the likes of Juicy, Auclair, Chad Taylor Trio, Faust, and Blackhaine.

Stuart revisits the eccentric cult artist's bizarre and beautiful 1974 album Dandruff.

Stuart catches up with prepared pianist Kelly Moran about her new Warp Records release.

Plus, more adventurous music from the likes of Laraaji, Brian Eno, Lucretia Dalt, Kali Malone and Max Cooper, to name a few.

Featuring the sounds of the psychedelic folk singer's album from 1970, Parallelograms.

Plus Taiwanese ambient, avant-classical, paranormal electronica, prog rock and piano jazz from the likes of Imryll, Nite Monitor, Gentle Giant, Bugge Wesseltoft and more.

Stuart revisits the legendary artist's groovy Ethio jazz album from 1975, Ere m\u00e8la m\u00e8la'.

Plus, experimental music from Aphex Twin, Gong, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, John Cale and more.

Stuart revisits the pioneering producer's album from 2008, Parallax Error Beheads You.

Plus, more music in the way of Norwegian jazz, spacey dub and moody Bladerunner-esque synths from the likes of Master Oogway, Prince Jammy, FUMU and Nurse With Wound.

Featuring the sounds of the German singer songwriter's 1969 album The Marble Index.

Featuring the strange dream-like sounds of the German singer songwriter's gothic avant-garde album from 1969, The Marble Index. The album's sound owes more more to European classical and folk music than rock and is dominated by spare harmonium and Nico's deep, haunting vocals. The second of her six gripping albums, The Marble Index was produced by her Velvet Underground band mate John Cale who described it as truly unprecedented' at the time.

A curiosity cabinet of experimental music; cellist Oliver Coates joins Stuart.

Plus music from Still House Plants, Hawkwind, Peter Hammill, Joyful Talk, Pere Ubu & Caravan.

Plus, more eclectic experimental tracks from the likes of Andy Stott, Marina Herlop, Prince Far I, Phillip Glass & Tara Clerken Trio, to name just a few.

Featuring the music of the progressive rock jazz fusion band's 1975 album Mainstream.

Randall Dunn, experimental music's go-to producer on his new solo record

Plus, Mexican avant-pop. groovy Italian soundtracks, psychedelic folk, classic Radiophonic Workshop and more.

Stuart celebrates the dramatic vocal-led drone metal album from 2014, Soused.

Plus, jubilant Latin Beatles cover, meditative Norwegian doom electronica & delicate jazz piano with birdsong.

Stuart revisits the psychedelic rock band's 1968 album, A Child's Guide To Good & Evil.

Also on the show, Dean Blunt, Jockstrap, Erkin Koray, The Durutti Column, Hatis Noit, AA Williams, Boards of Canada, plus more.

Stuart revisits the late influential electronic producer's Blade Runner soundtrack album.

The featured album is Canadian musician Venetian Snares' album from 2015, Rossz Csillag Alatt Született. Inspired by a trip to Hungary, the record brings together classical music with break beat and drum and bass configurations in a dramatic and intense pairing that works brilliantly and unexpectedly.

Stuart chats to the iconic artist about her new memoir Wayward: Just Another Life to Live.

Over the last decade brothers Aaron and Nathan Weaver have developed their sound from the black metal genre incorporating mythical influences from the unseen world of spirits and magic around their woodland home, the Pacific Northwest.

Leaving the drums, guitar and black metal vocals behind Celestite expands on their interest in synthesizer acts like Tangerine Dream and Popul Vuh, creating a new visionary soundscape.

Stuart talks to American black metal band Wolves in the Throne Room.

Playing obscure and leftfield music from each each country in world cup groups E to H.

Stuart invites a listener to create the Freak Zone's first Wyrd Dysko.

Stuart chats to Jim White and George Xylouris aka Xylouris White.

There's some Danish avant folk pop, a bit of Finnish ambient, some cult 80s electronica from Totnes, songs in Flemish and Occitan, and, of course, a dash of Bradfordian prog disco.

And Stuart's featured album is Yes's 1971 prog rock masterpiece the Yes Album. The LP that introduced the guitar wizardry of Steve Howe to the band, it's now been reissued as a Super Deluxe boxset complete with remixes and previously unreleased live tracks.

Stuart's featured album is Yes's 1971 prog rock masterpiece the Yes Album. Plus there's the usual collection of weird and wonderful music from around the world.