Jo Whiley

Jo Whiley is one of British radio's most recognisable and enduring voices, celebrated for championing live music and introducing generations of listeners to groundbreaking artists. Over nearly three decades with the BBC, she helped define the Britpop era through Radio 1's iconic Evening Session alongside Steve Lamacq before hosting her own daytime show, and now presents on Radio 2, where her celebrated Sofa Sessions showcase exclusive live performances and covers from established and emerging talent. Jo empowers audiences with her authentic passion for music discovery, her ability to connect artists with listeners, and her engaging approach to live broadcasting that transforms events into memorable, energising experiences.

When Jo Whiley and Steve Lamacq launched The Evening Session on Radio 1 in 1993, they created a cultural landmark that would define an entire generation's relationship with British music. Arriving just as Britpop was transforming the UK music scene, the show became the essential platform for guitar bands and alternative acts that had been overlooked by mainstream radio, cementing Jo's reputation as a champion of emerging talent and new sounds. For nearly two decades on Radio 1, she introduced millions of listeners to artists who would go on to shape the musical landscape, from household names like Blur, Oasis, Pulp and Suede to equally influential but less commercial acts that found their home on her airwaves.

Jo's career has spanned an impressive breadth of broadcasting roles that extend far beyond her radio work. She presented her own daytime show on Radio 1 for over a decade whilst simultaneously fronting Top of the Pops and leading the BBC's Glastonbury coverage, establishing herself as one of the corporation's most trusted voices for live music events. Her move to Radio 2 reflected the station's shift towards a more contemporary sound, and she now presents her weekday evening show where the celebrated Sofa Sessions have become a signature feature, showcasing exclusive live performances and cover versions from both established and emerging artists. Her commitment to discovering new talent continues through special programming, including recent BBC Introducing collaborations that bring unsigned Scottish artists to national audiences, and her popular 90s Anthems events that celebrate the era she helped define.

Jo transforms events into memorable experiences through her authentic passion for music and her rare ability to connect artists with audiences in meaningful ways. Whether presenting live from festivals, hosting intimate studio sessions, or curating nostalgic celebrations of the 90s music scene, she creates an atmosphere of genuine enthusiasm that energises both performers and listeners. Audiences benefit from her decades of industry knowledge, her instinct for spotting talent before it breaks through, and her warm, engaging presenting style that makes complex musical contexts accessible and exciting. Her work empowers organisations to deliver events that feel both professionally polished and authentically human, leaving audiences inspired to explore new music and reconnect with the sounds that shaped their lives.