A peek behind the scenes at Radio 2 in the Park

An outdoor music stage with a Radio 2 banner on it and TV screens on the sides. It is being set up, with various workers in hi-vis jackets on stage.Image source, Shivani Chaudhari/BBC
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Radio 2 in the Park is due to welcome its first fans on Friday afternoon

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Two large stages, various food outlets and a big disco ball are just some of the things being prepped at Hylands Park, as it gears itself up to host Radio 2 in the Park.

Up to 65,000 music lovers are due to descend on the Georgian grounds, just outside Chelmsford, during the weekend to watch pop and rock royalty, including Bryan Adams, Def Leppard and Essex's very own Olly Murs.

With the final preparations being put in place on Thursday to open the doors on Friday afternoon, Rhys Hughes - head of live music and events at the BBC - said seeing the site come to life was "rewarding".

"It's a beautiful site. It's got festival heritage," he said.

The venue, known for its beautiful gardens and 1700s stately home, is well versed in staging big events, having hosted V Festival several times between 1996 and 2017.

Mr Hughes, who has been in his role for the past eight years, played a big part in bringing one of the BBC's flagship festivals to Essex.

"I love live events, it brings great joy to my heart to see the site come to fruition from when we did the first site visit in [last] September and talking about this as a venue," he said.

"Seeing it come to life now is rewarding."

Rhys Hughes looking at the camera while outside at the festival site. He has a bald head and a long grey beard and moustache. He is wearing a hi-vis jacket and a lanyard and there is fencing behind him.Image source, Shivani Chaudhari/BBC
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Rhys Hughes said it was important to make live music more accessible for smaller towns and cities

In recent years, Radio 2 in the Park has visited Leicester and Preston - a conscious decision to go to places that "don't get as many big festivals".

Talking about the decision to come to Chelmsford, he said "sometimes I do feel towns around London slightly get overlooked".

He added that Preston City Council estimated £5.3m was brought in to the local area during the event and he hoped the Essex city would get a similar boost.

The DJ Stage inside a big tent. There are big speakers, a DJ booth in the middle with a screen behind it and a big disco ball above. There are various workers on the stage.Image source, Shivani Chaudhari/BBC
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The DJ Stage is due to host sets from many Radio 2 presenters across the weekend

Elsewhere on the site, Andy Grey, production director at Far and Beyond, said there were about 70 people helping to set up the main stage.

He said the recent wet weather had "slowed us down a little bit", but "we are used to working in the British weather".

"We're making things work. The main stage is starting to take shape," he said.

Marc and Andy wearing hi-vis jackets on a stage. They are both smiling at the camera. Both have glasses and grey beards.Image source, Shivani Chaudhari/BBC
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Marc Peers (left) and Andy Grey said they were used to setting up events in wet British weather

Sound engineer Joe Baker said he had travelled four hours from Liverpool to come to work at the festival.

The DJ Stage was first introduced in 2023 and this weekend fans can expect sets from Scott Mills, Rylan and DJ Spoony under a huge disco ball.

While setting up the decks, he said himself and the wider team had been getting the stage ready for the past two days, and he was really looking forward to the event.

Joe Baker wearing a black sun cap and a black T-shirt and glasses. He has a black beard. He is smiling at the camera.Image source, Shivani Chaudhari/BBC
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Joe Baker said he had travelled all the way from Liverpool to be at Radio 2 in the Park

Meanwhile, Chris Halls had a much easier trip from Chelmsford to help prepare the main stage.

"I am a roadie - we lift and shift the gear," he said.

"I've been here since 6am.

"I'm looking forward to seeing some famous faces.

"We've been at it since Wednesday morning. It's going to be full-on... and then we have to take it all down on the Sunday."

Chris Halls wearing a hi-vis jacket and a black hoodie. He is sitting on the main stage and smiling at the camera. He has blond hair and stubble.Image source, Shivani Chaudhari/BBC
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Chris Halls was setting up the main stage and said he was looking forward to seeing some famous faces

All the details about this year's Radio 2 in the Park, including where to listen and watch across the BBC, can be found here.

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