Sam Fender has been headlining Saturday night of BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool with a fiery performance
There were "unreal good vibes" in the huge audience, a fan who had been waiting all day for Fender's gig told BBC Newsbeat
"This is the most nervous I've ever been and I have no idea why," Fender tells the crowd during his set
Wolf Alice, Sugababes, Tom Odell and others have also been rocking the Main Stage today
Ed Sheeran drew big crowds when he thrilled fans with a surprise gig on the New Music Stage in Sefton Park earlier
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Huge crowds, as expected, for Sam Fender. Loads of people donning their Newcastle kits.
Tonight's headliner at Radio 1's Big Weekend, Sam Fender, has just appeared on the stage.
After a quick countdown, the show is officially under way - and we're in for a show.
Moments before he made his way on stage he was introduced by BBC Radio 1's Vick Hope and Greg James.
Vick called him a "hometown hero" and a "local lad" - get ready for a great performance.
You can follow live by clicking Watch and listen at the top of this page.
We're expecting Sam Fender to appear on the Main Stage of Radio 1's Big Weekend any minute now.
The festival kickstarts a massive summer for Sam Fender who embarks on a run of sold-out UK stadium shows, including three nights at St James’ Park, home of Newcastle United.
Fender’s love for the Magpies is well known, even celebrating their recent EFL Cup win over Liverpool by changing the lyrics in People Watching from “I never found him” to “his name is Dan Burn” in honour of one of the goal scorers that day.
His third album, also titled People Watching, had the biggest opening week of album sales for a British artist since Harry’s House by Harry Styles in 2022 - shifting 107,100 chart units in its first seven days.
Fender says he is excited to be performing on the main stage today, and previously played the festival in 2019, when it was held in Middlesbrough.
Shaun Dacosta, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Many people are making their way over to the Main Stage to hear Sam Fender perform shortly
Crowds are making their way over from the New Music Stage, where Aitch and AJ Tracey have been performing, to get to their spots for headliner Sam Fender on the Main Stage.
Ben and Lara are two of those fans, each with their own music taste.
“Brilliant, unreal, a great performance” is how Ben describes the duo’s back-to-back set on the New Music Stage.
Lara though is a “big fan” of Sam Fender and “loves him” so wants to get a good spot near the Main Stage.
Ben is also “very happy” to see Arsenal having lifted the Women’s Champions League this evening - beating Barcelona 1-0.
Mitch Mansfield, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
With minutes to go until Sam Fender takes to the Main Stage, the crowd’s warmed-up with a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
The song remains popular among Liverpool FC fans.
It’s far from a storm at Sefton Park, but after a bit of a shower, we’re about to get the sweet silver songs from North Shields.
Sam Fender is expected to take to the Main Stage in the next 10 minutes, you can watch live at the top of this page.
Mitch Mansfield, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
It's almost time.
For many, the most-anticipated set of the weekend, for Sam Fender it's the start of a huge summer.
In tonight's headline act, older fans will hear Bruce Springsteen-inspired heartland rock. Younger followers will hear socially-charged anthems, speaking for them and their communities.
Either way, the blend feels made for this kind of setting.
But Fender is also a big Newcastle fan.
Liverpool... don't mention Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League today and he won't mention the League Cup final. Deal?
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
It’s getting cold, but people are bringing ice cream into the tent.
The vibes here are really chilled out, with people enjoying the energy that Aitch and AJ are bringing.
“Liverpool is made for Aitch,” one fans says.
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, PA MediaWe caught up with the Sugababes after their set, and they were still buzzing with energy.
The trio had been dancing around the Main Stage, and when asked about their performance style they were quick to set the record straight.
“We were never the girl group that didn’t dance,” they said. “We do co-ordinated moves - maybe not a full routine, but we’re definitely moving!”
Siobhán laughed and said: "I always find it so weird when people say we don’t dance!”
Mutya joked: “Every time I’m on stage, I feel like I’m doing so much. Then I see it back and I’m like, ‘Oh my god!’”
“I come off stage sweating!” Siobhán added with a grin.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
The first surprise of the set over on the New Music Stage: rapper Big Zuu joins AJ Tracey on stage.
The pair have recently released Paid in Full together. But a couple of fans near me say they “want Jorja Smith to come out”.
She hasn’t made an appearance as AJ Tracey starts their song Crush.
But she is due to perform at Big Weekend tomorrow.
Ellie Rowsell and Theo Ellis from the band Wolf Alice spoke to BBC Newsbeat before their gig
Speaking to BBC Newsbeat before their set, Wolf Alice said it was “good to be back” after a four year break.
On why they took that break, Ellie Rowsell said: “We just needed to recharge creatively”.
They said they are very much looking forward to their new music coming out, telling the crowd during their set moments ago they’re bringing it out in August.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA MediaManish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Now that Wolf Alice has finished performing on the Main Stage, the New Music Tent has become jam-packed with fans waiting for Aitch performing back-to-back with AJ Tracey.
Stick with us for their gig in a few moments' time.
Shaun Dacosta, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Monty and Amy stopped by to listen to Charlotte Plank
Despite not everyone knowing who Charlotte Plank is, plenty of onlookers dropped in for the singer’s set at the BBC Introducing stage - her second performance of the day after earlier being on the Dance Stage.
“I don’t know anything about her but she’s got a really good stage presence; I like her hair and she was interacting with the crowd really well, so that’s why we stopped,” Amy tells Newsbeat.
“The fact that we’ve walked last here and we’re still here says a lot,” Monty says, before adding:
Quote MessageShe has a really good vibe about her."
Mitch Mansfield, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesEd Sheeran, who did a secret set on the New Music stage earlier, isn’t the only surprise of the weekend.
There’s also a ‘secret set’ on the BBC Introducing stage now.
Charlotte Plank - who performed on the Dance Stage earlier today - confirmed the appearance earlier on her Instagram stories.
You might not know the name, but there’s a good chance you’ll know the voice - from her feature on 'Dancing Is Healing' by Rudimental and Vibe Chemistry.
Shaun Dacosta, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
We’ve been catching up with Aitch, a Manchester United fan, and AJ Tracey, a Tottenham Hotspur fan, ahead of their set at the New Music Stage.
They tell us there’s “no bad blood” after Spurs beat Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
Fans are looking forward to a back-to-back set from the duo.
“It’s hard to make friends in music, so when you do it’s a good feeling, I’ll be real,” AJ Tracey tells Newsbeat, adding sometimes they “need to get the work done” because they get on so well.
Aitch jokes:
Quote MessageWe need to fall out sometimes to make some good music.”
Aitch
Their set is due to start very soon, at 20:00, so stick with us.
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Rebecca and Becky camping out at the Main Stage
Rebecca and Becky have been here since The Sugababes' gig earlier.
Talking about Wolf Alice, they say: “We love the set.”
Quote MessageWolf Alice are very sultry - very much enjoying it. They remind me of a soft version of YungBlud.”
Becky
“I want stars on my outfit like Ellie," she says, referring to Wolf Alice singer and guitarist Ellie Rowsell's outfit, which has blue stars on it.
Lauren Howell, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Luvcat have been playing over on the BBC Introducing Stage.
Hotly tipped to be big in 2025, Luvcat had strong support from BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 1 from the beginning.
They have appeared at four festivals in three days! And they opened their set today with new single Lipstick.
The singer is a massive Liverpool FC fan and is sporting their football jacket!
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
The poncho raincoats came out as Wolf Alice took to the Main Stage.
“It’s sick. It’s raining but it doesn’t matter it adds to the atmosphere," Mimi says:
Hope says: “brilliant atmosphere - the rain adds to it, yeah. Rock and roll!”
Hope and Mimi are not letting the rain get them down
Mitch Mansfield, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
It’s been four years since Wolf Alice’s big breakthrough album Blue Weekend.
Now, on a grey one here in Liverpool, the London rock band are enjoying a much-hyped return, ahead of the release of their follow-up album The Clearing.
Fans have had to be patient, but don’t expect a repeat of what the group have done before.
They’re back with a new look and a promise of “classic pop/rock”.
We’re getting a first proper glimpse into their new Wolf Alice era.
Wolf Alice take to the stage.
They are singing Bloom Baby Bloom to kick off their set, you can watch live at the top of this page.