Summary

Live Reporting

Edited by Jack Burgess & Matt Spivey

  1. See you tomorrow for Big Weekend's final day - with Mumford & Sons

    Jack Burgess
    Live page editor

    Mumford & Sons performing at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2019 on Saturday 25th May 2019

    It's the end of the second day of Radio 1's Big Weekend and we're pausing our live coverage following Sam Fender's stunning performance on the Main Stage.

    But don't worry, fellow music lovers... it's far from over.

    We'll be back here tomorrow as Mumford & Sons headline a Sunday line-up packed with talent.

    Haim, Wet Leg, Jorja Smith, Lola Young and Tate McRae will be gracing the Main Stage in Liverpool's Sefton Park.

    Meanwhile, Self Esteem and Jade will be taking to the New Music Stage. The Dance and Introducing stages are braced for a series of spectacular performances - take a look at the full line-up.

    In the meantime, you can read all about how the day unfolded in this piece from BBC Newsbeat's Manish Pandey, who has been in Sefton Park soaking up the atmosphere.

    See you tomorrow.

  2. A memorable day in Sefton Park

    Hollie Cole
    Reporting from the BBC newsroom in London

    What a day it has been at Big Weekend!

    With surprise onstage appearances, fierce vocals, dancing crowds and an eight-foot gorilla on stage it's safe to say it's been a memorable day for the festival-goers in Liverpool.

    Ed Sheeran sings into a microphone on the New Music Stage at Big Weekend while holding a guitar. He is wearing a white t-shirt. He has ginger hair and blue eyes.

    What a surprise to kick off the day with! Ed Sheeran was a surprise set on the New Music Stage this afternoon

    Trio Sugababes perform on stage. Two bandmembers have long brown hair and one has red hair.PA Media

    Girl band Sugababes had the crowd singing along to hits Push the Button and About You Now

    A gorilla statue is on the Main Stage at Big Weekend with Blossoms

    Surprise! Blossoms brought on stage a gorilla statue called Gary - a reference to the band's song about a fibreglass gorilla that was stolen from a garden centre

    Wolf Alice singer Ellie Rowsell sings on stage. She has blue eyes and long brown hair. She is wearing a white top with two blue stars on it.PA Media

    Wolf Alice singer Ellie Rowsell gave a fiery performance this afternoon

    Sam Fender sings into a microphone while playing a guitar on stage at Big Weekend. He is wearing a navy jacket. He has brown hair.Joseph Okpako / WireImage / Getty Images

    Sam Fender had the crowd's hands in the air as he brought the second day of Big Weekend to a close

  3. A surprise start paved the way for a feel-good day at Big Weekend

    Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
    Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    Crowds singing and dancing, looking at stage that is behind the camera. Ferris wheel in background.Getty Images

    In many ways, today has felt like a Super Saturday.

    The surprise announcement of Ed Sheeran's performance on the New Music Stage kicked off the day - what a way to start!

    With the sun beaming down, fans rushed over and very quickly the area reached maximum capacity while the crowd sang along to Sheeran’s hits - though some missed out.

    Tom Odell and the Sugababes followed soon after – but on the Main Stage - with the crowd bouncing to the girl group’s nostalgic Push the Button.

    It was a day with mixed weather but largely happy vibes, with some fans having a picnic during sets across Sefton Park.

    In the spirit of Big Weekend’s musical variety, Myles Smith was entertaining the crowd with feel-good foot stomper Stargazing, while Sienna Spiro's soulful voice lit up the Introducing Stage.

    The New Music Stage continued to see packed out crowds for Inhaler and Aitch going back-to-back with AJ Tracey.

    Headliner Sam Fender brought the day to a close with fireworks, and it seems fitting that a star who has a big summer ahead of him closed out one of the days which marks the start of summer festival season.

  4. A giraffe, a Geordie hero and great views: Festival-goers in the spotlight

    Hollie Cole
    Reporting from the BBC newsroom in London

    Away from the big names and iconic performances, we've loved seeing all the weird and wonderful parts of today from the festival-goers in Sefton Park, Liverpool.

    This is a moment of appreciation for all those who spoke to the BBC today, giving us an insight into what it's like at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.

    Here's a look back at some of the most memorable moments from today:

    Alex Nelmes smiles for the camera in front of a stage at Big Weekend. She is holding a long-necked stuffed pink giraffe toy. Nelmes is wearing cheetah-printed trousers, a black top, and a pink bucket hat.

    Alex Nelmes came to Big Weekend with Keith the giraffe - he would've been able to see the performance above people's heads even if Alex couldn't

    Kevin Duala and Claire Bryan sit at a table on the Sugarbabes' tour bus with its driver Rob. Duala is wearing a purple BBC Local Radio jacket, jeans, a pink bucket hat, and green sunglasses. Claire Bryan is wearing a beige jumpsuit and brown sunglasses. Rob is wearing a grey graphic t-shirt. All three of them are smiling at the camera.

    BBC Radio Merseyside's team snuck onto the Sugababes' tour bus and met driver Rob, and they managed to trade a BBC Radio Merseyside mug for some Sugababes merch before leaving

    Chevy and Emily are dressed in black and white and hold up signs. One says Local legend Geordie Hero!!! and another that says We're only Getting Started See You at London Stadium.

    Sam Fender fans Chevy and Emily were ready to cheer on the Geordie singer

    Jess sits on Henry's shoulders in a crowd at Big Weekend. Both are smiling at the camera. Jess has long blonde hair and Henry has curly brown hair.

    Best view in the house for Jess? Henry's given her the perfect vantage point to see Sam Fender

  5. 'An unlikely superstar': Sam's early nerves turned into big smiles

    Mitch Mansfield, BBC Newsbeat
    Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    Crowd watching Sam Fender.

    We said at the start that this set marks the beginning of a big run of shows for Sam Fender.

    There may’ve been some teething problems - tech issues and nerves - but the singer-songwriter's vulnerability and relatability is part of what makes him endearing.

    In some respects, he’s an unlikely superstar - but there’s no doubt he has earned the accolade now.

    The crowd spontaneously chanting Seventeen Going Under and Hypersonic Missiles long after the songs had finished brought a smile to his face.

    The chants could last the summer.

  6. Sam Fender ends headliner set with crowd pleasers - and a bang

    Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
    Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    Fireworks above Main Stage at Big Weekend.

    Sam Fender saved two crowd pleasers for last: Seventeen Going Under and Hypersonic Missiles.

    HIs final performance was complete with a confetti explosion spreading all over the park and fireworks to close out.

    The last 20 minutes of Sam Fender’s performance really lifted the entire set, and brought the crowd to life after what was, in his own words, quite a nervous start.

  7. Fireworks fill the night sky as Sam leaves the stage

    Matt Spivey
    Live page editor

    Fireworks above stage, Sam Fender performing.

    Sam Fender's headline gig has ended - with fireworks marking the last moments of an extraordinary second day of Radio 1's Big Weekend.

    We hope you enjoyed it as much as we have.

    Stay with us as we bring you more on the festival, take a look back at the highlights of today and look ahead to tomorrow's star-studded line-up.

  8. It's high time for Sam to play Hypersonic Missiles

    As Sam Fender is drawing towards the end of his set, here's the song many have been hoping for - Hypersonic Missiles.

    The crowd takes over, singing the chant back to him under the grey skies of Liverpool.

  9. An energy shift for Seventeen Going Under

    Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
    Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    People sit on top of people's shoulders in a crowd in front of the Main Stage at Big Weekend that Sam Fender is performing on.

    This is the one everyone was waiting for.

    There's an energy shift.

    Sam's hit Seventeen Going Under sees people mounting onto shoulders, phones out and plenty of dancing.

  10. Gloomy skies can't stop the party

    A crowd with arms up towards stage, with grey clouds above them.

    A huge crowd have turned out to watch Sam Fender perform in Sefton Park at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend despite the moody weather

  11. Sam Fender now playing Little Bit Closer

    Sam Fender.Getty Images

    Sam Fender is a good chunk of the way through his headline set and the energy still feels great.

    He's closing the festival's second day in style and is currently singing his hit Little Bit Closer, which has tempted many to start jumping and take their phones out of their pockets to record the moment.

    It's also available to watch live at the top of this page - with no video recording or jumping required.

    As a reminder Sam's headline set is expected to finish at 21.45, so expect some more big songs as near the end of his performance.

  12. 'The view is great up here'

    Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
    Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    Jess sits on Henry's shoulders in a crowd at Big Weekend. She has long blonde hair and he has short, curly brown hair.

    Jess is on the shoulders of Henry, she tells me the view "is really great up here".

    But, I hear you ask, how's Henry?

    He tells me: “I’ve spent loads of money on drinks - and that’s how I’m staying strong! I’m looking forward to Hypersonic Missiles.”

  13. 'The most nervous I've ever been' - Sam Fender tells crowd

    Sam Fender singing into microphone and holding guitar.

    Sam Fender is part way through his headline set at Radio 1's Big Weekend.

    He's just told the crowd: "This is the most nervous I’ve ever been and I have no idea why."

    But the crowd are lapping up his performance with plenty of cheers and dancing.

  14. A fiery performance, literally

    Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
    Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    Earlier in the day, they were testing the “flame machine”.

    And now we know why, because no headline set is complete without the presence of flames.

    We’re standing close enough that you can feel the heat touch your face.

    Two flames go up into the sky from the top of the stage.

  15. 'Unreal good vibes'

    Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
    Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    Everyone’s on good form in the audience.

    Mia tells me there are “unreal good vibes.” She’s with her two mates Hannah and Taja. They say they’ve been waiting all day for this.

    “It's amazing, I hope he plays Hypersonic Missiles," Taja says, adding that she's "seen him like four or five times… I just love him”.

    Taja, Hannah, and Mia smile for the camera while Sam Fender performs on the Main Stage behind them. They all have brown hair. Taja is wearing a grey jumper, Hannah is wearing a black jumper, and Mia is wearing a green poncho.

    Friends Taja, Hannah, and Mia came to Big Weekend together

  16. And... a view from above

    We've just seen some aerial shots of the crowd that have gathered at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Sefton Park to see headliner Sam Fender.

    The sheer scale seems huge, with a sea of people packed into the field in front of the Main Stage - dwarfed in height only by a large Radio 1 Ferris wheel.

    A huge crowd in front of a stage, aerial view.

  17. A view from the front row

    Eleanor Doyle and Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
    Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    Sam Fender performs on the Main Stage. The picture is taken looking at the stage from the side.
    Crowds stand behind a barrier to watch Sam Fender perform on the Main Stage at Big Weekend.

  18. People Watching: Sam Fender gets the crowd dancing

    Sam Fender on stage, microphone in hand and singing. He's holding a guitar.

    Sam Fender is now singing People Watching.

    In the crowd people are dancing up by the barriers and there's lots of swaying. Some people have climbed onto other people's shoulders to get an uninterrupted glimpse of the headliner.

    You too can have an uninterrupted view - from many different angles - just click the Watch live at the top of this page.

  19. 'I'm so glad Sam's in Liverpool'

    Shaun Dacosta, BBC Newsbeat
    Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    Charlene, Harriet and Lydia pose for the camera while stood in the crowd at Big Weekend's Main Stage. Two of them have brown hair and one has blonde hair. They are all wearing coats.

    Fans are getting into the groove here in Sefton Park as Sam Fender starts his headline set,

    Among them are Charlene, Harriet and Lydia.

    “It’s amazing, I’ve always wanted to see him, I’m so glad he’s in Liverpool - our city,” Charlene tells Newsbeat.

    Harriet adds that they are "so happy he’s here”, while Lydia says it’s “amazing for the city”.

  20. Fans can't help but dance

    Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
    Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    A lot of Newcastle shirts spotted around the park (including one right in front of me) in support of Sam Fender.

    The crowd is filling up nicely, with people dancing with drinks in their hands.

    And yes, there has been the occasional spillage…