Experiencing a renowned artist perform live is always delightful. The extra allure comes when you know they’re going to present something fresh or unusual. Therefore, the opportunity to listen to them play alongside a top orchestra for an intimate and exceptionally unique setlist is not to be missed.
The exceptional BBC Piano Room series comes to our aid in this situation. It’s been around for quite some time now and recently concluded the recording of the 2025 sessions, which took place throughout February. Over that month, it hosted a total of 16 sessions featuring prominent artists. Remarkably, during February, the BBC Piano Room recorded its 100th session.
Most sessions adhere to a consistent structure: Artists typically collaborate with the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale studios in London. These performances are often transmitted live on BBC Radio 2 and later shared as recordings and videos. Each artist performs three songs, with the requirement being one fresh composition, an old favorite from their discography, and a cover track.
As a gamer, when I hear a fully orchestrated remix of a familiar track, it’s like diving into a new level of the same game. Each note adds a fresh layer to the original tune, giving it an unexpected twist and depth that I hadn’t experienced before. These cover versions can vary greatly from what I’m used to, taking the music in a whole new direction, just as exploring uncharted territories in a game does.
The BBC Piano Room sessions 2025
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say, the lineup for February 2025 was nothing short of phenomenal! Kicking things off was Coldplay, followed by an eclectic mix of artists that included Franz Ferdinand, Teddy Swims, and the talented Kate Hudson. The ride continued, and on Thursday, February 27, it all concluded with Gary Barlow from Take That wrapping up the 2025 series! It was a musical journey I won’t forget anytime soon!
In this series, several standout moments took place. Unlike the other performances, Coldplay’s session wasn’t broadcast live; instead, they recorded it prior to their current tour. This enabled them to create an extended recording. Interestingly, their cover song selection was “Sunshine On Leith” by The Proclaimers, a choice that surprised Chris Martin as he admitted he hadn’t heard the song before.
My preferred performance was that of Franz Ferdinand. They’ve just dropped their newest album, The Human Fear,, and performed their new single “Night and Day.” The group also showcased their impressive past work by delivering an exceptional live rendition of “Take Me Out.” Who would have guessed they’d cover Britney Spears’ “Toxic”? It was a delightful surprise that truly encapsulates the appeal of the Piano Room series.
More amazing BBC Piano Room sessions and how to hear and see them
On her 80th birthday, Elkie Brooks delivered an outstanding performance that left everyone in awe of her talent. Her rendition of Rag N’ Bone Man’s song was exceptional. Additionally, there was a reunion of two original members from the band 10cc, Graham Gouldman and Kevin Godley, who performed together once more. Another memorable moment occurred when Tom Grennan covered Harry Nilsson’s “Without You.
Here are the sessions across various platforms – BBC Sounds for audio globally, BBC iPlayer for video (with regional restrictions), and the BBC YouTube channel where you can find recordings dating back to 2025 and earlier.
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
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2025-03-05 17:00