DJ Steve Lamacq says New Year Honours MBE is ‘incredible shock’

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Radio presenter and DJ Steve Lamacq has said being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours came as an “incredible shock”. “If I could, I’d dedicate this honour to all the venues and artists and promoters across the country, especially the ones at grassroots level, who have given me such joy over the years, and I’m proud to be one of their champions.” Born in 1964, the DJ, known for championing new artists and indie music, started as a local journalist before joining NME in the late 1980s where he watched gigs, discovered new music artists, and reported on the burgeoning Britpop scene. Also known for promoting independent music venues, Lamacq has co-hosted a series of special shows on Radio 6 Music for Independent Venue Week across the years, focusing on and celebrating different UK gig venues. The DJ, who has also presented on Radio 2, currently hosts Steve Lamacq’s Teatime Session on Monday afternoons on Radio 6 Music, after announcing in 2023 that he would no longer be presenting six shows a week.