Big Weekend will be 'transformative' for city

Lucy Shannon, 46, from Sunderland, hoped to get a ticket this time round

People in Sunderland say the return of Radio 1's Big Weekend will be brilliant for the city.

The annual music festival will come to Herrington Country Park from 22 to 24 May 2026, after last being held there in 2005.

Sunderland Music City officer Frankie Francis, who is also lead singer in Frankie and the Heartstrings, said it was a chance for the "amazing talent" in the north-east of England to showcase itself.

"It's amazing, it's transformative, it's generational," Mr Francis said. "These kinds of things literally change lives."

Next year, about 100 artists will take to the stage, from global superstars to fresh new talent.

In 2005, the line-up included the Foo Fighters, The Black Eyed Peas and Gwen Stefani.

Mr Francis said: "The best in the business will be coming once again, and the background is going to be Penshaw monument once again."

• Listen: People in Sunderland react to Radio 1's Big Weekend announcement

People in the city were equally thrilled by the announcement.

Sue Hodge, 48, from Castletown, told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I think it's brilliant for the city as it's going to bring some huge artists up here that might not have come up before."

Lucy Shannon, 46, said she thought the event looked amazing last time.

"Unfortunately I didn't get a ticket but who knows this time round?" she said.

The event was last in Sunderland in 2005

Ross Millard, from Sunderland band The Futureheads, played the festival in 2005 just as their debut album took off.

He remembered the weather went from sleet to rain to glorious sunshine in a day.

"There weren't many great opportunities to play a big homecoming show," he said.

"To be part of this enormously special event, that you know is only going to come around, well, once in every 20 years, it was really magic."

Ross Millard from The Futureheads said the 2005 was their big homecoming show