It might be decidedly chilly outside, but that isn’t stopping music fans all over the place braving the freeze and bearing their arms to show off their favourite short-sleeved band garms. A bold move, in mid-November.
Originally an idea cooked up by radio DJ Steve Lamacq, BBC 6Music’s T-Shirt Day (also known as ‘Wear Your Old Band T Shirt To Work Day’) has been running since 2007. From elaborate home-made efforts to ill-fitting old favourites, loads of familiar faces are joining in.
Sensibly picking out a practical long-sleeve number -pillaged from their own merch supply, no less – here’s Interpol’s Sam Fogarino. Are musicians allowed to wear their own band’s t-shirts? Sure!
Reppin' for @BBC6Music #TShirtDay 2018 pic.twitter.com/UFfUfcxtTB
— Interpol (@Interpol) November 23, 2018
Meanwhile, BBC 6Music’s Maryanne Hobbs has raised the game with a home-made Nils Frahm t-shirt inspired by, erm, Tracey Emin. Very creative, well done.
home-made @nilsfrahm T-shirt
baroque n’ roll design inspired by Tracey Emin @BBC6Music #T-ShirtDay pic.twitter.com/imYtPVxw3p
— maryanne hobbs (@maryannehobbs) November 23, 2018
Sean from Parquet Courts hijacked Rough Trade’s account to show off his Spritualized tee
Happy #TShirtDay @BBC6Music! Parquet Courts don’t have Twitter, but Sean (@Yeatons) from the band wants you all to know that “I’m really happy to be an ambassador for my favorite band (#spiritualized) and to my favorite radio station!” pic.twitter.com/beJ0D8jWV6
— Rough Trade Records (@RoughTradeRecs) November 23, 2018
Paul Smith from Maxïmo Park is currently Sheffield-bound, on tour with his solo project…
In the van on my solo band tour, representing @BBC6Music #TShirtDay with Leonard Cohen's I'm Your Man sleeve. Onward to Sheffield! pic.twitter.com/lFLTTkVLxO
— Paul Smith (@paulsmithmusic) November 23, 2018
Field Music are busy in the studio, apparently – but David Brewis remembered his Police tribute
Hey @BBC6Music, how about playing Walking On The Moon or So Lonely for those of us working hard at the Field Music studio #TShirtDay pic.twitter.com/OcsFHFdaP4
— Field Music (@fieldmusicmusic) November 23, 2018
New Order, representing German krautrock band Can, and ‘Ege Bamyasi’
Hey @BBC6Music, happy #TShirtDay! ??? pic.twitter.com/my6OivzrxR
— New Order (@neworder) November 23, 2018
These two dogs don’t mess with anything other than Iron Maiden and Fleetwood Mac. Fair enough
All ready for #TShirtDay @BBC6Music
Classic Fleetwood Mac Peter Green lineup for Mike and Iron Maiden for Poppy. pic.twitter.com/1kOIBhntaG
— Shiv (@shivfromthebloc) November 23, 2018
Tim Burgess’ dog is wearing a Tim Burgess t-shirt, obviously
It’s @BBC6Music #Tshirtday tomorrow pic.twitter.com/0Qk3fSVEbC
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) November 22, 2018
These two forgot their band t-shirts, and made up for it with a very solid improvisational effort. Shout outs to WHAM! and Shaggy
When you forgot it was #TshirtDay ???♀️ @BBC6Music. pic.twitter.com/9T2jNG9TBL
— Megan Page (@Megwam) November 23, 2018
Another heroic homemade effort – this time for a young Pavement fan who requested a Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks top at the last minute
I’m wearing Pavement for #TShirtDay. My daughter decided she wanted a Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks t shirt under her school uniform so we had to quickly *make* this (including a visual representation of Jenny and the Ess Dog). We’ve had a lot of fun this morning. pic.twitter.com/mayjX3OgG2
— Dr Sarah Smith (@tillygolightly) November 23, 2018
We’re not sure if this technically counts as a John Cage t-shirt, but props for trying
I'm wearing a blank t shirt so could you play 4'33" by John Cage please #TShirtDay pic.twitter.com/xbAo7lbAyN
— Rob Morgan (@durutti74) November 23, 2018
At Idles’ old uni, Bristol UWE, the librarians rate The Wedding Present and Bob Dylan, among other things
Librarians rock too ?At Glenside campus library we are excited that it's Friday and it's #TShirtDay@BBC6Music pic.twitter.com/MjlfxjfNVJ
— UWE Bristol Library (@UWELibrary) November 23, 2018
Meanwhile, Circa Waves mourn a missed opportunity
#TShirtDay
Unfortunately this T-shirt never made it to production. Maybe we should get them made…..? pic.twitter.com/HKmmnN0W7F— ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? (@CircaWaves) November 23, 2018
And other people just couldn’t choose…
Decisions, decisions @BBC6Music #TShirtDay pic.twitter.com/buEznfCEjg
— Possible Boris (@PossibleBoris) November 22, 2018
The overall winner of the day, however? Well, it has to be Jodie Whittaker!
Due to the magic of time travel, The Doctor aka Jodie Whittaker has revealed what she will be wearing on Friday for #TShirtDay.
Tune in to Shaun Keaveny to hear a tune from Daughter just after 7am. And follow #DoctorWho's lead and send us your selfies: you wear it, we play it! pic.twitter.com/jaAmPrTl31
— BBC Radio 6 Music (@BBC6Music) November 22, 2018
Who knew! Dr Who rocks out to Daughter in the Tardis.