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
Mitch Mansfield, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Some festival-goers have not been able to see Ed Sheeran as the New Music Stage is at capacity
Disappointment for some fans, being told the New Music Stage area is now “full” and “temporarily closed”.
Ed Sheeran says he wanted to play the smaller tent, but it has meant many are missing out.
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
The tent has now reached full capacity here in Sefton Park. Ed Sheeran says he wanted to play a smaller stage to catch the “Liverpudlian energy”.
Becky said: “I think it’s perfect - exactly the right thing to play a smaller stage - I’ve been to other festivals before in a tent it’s a lot more intimate - the Scouse energy is incredible”.
“My mum has been listening to Radio 1 since 1967 - she loves it it’s why she’s here”.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Ed Sheeran says he chose the New Music Stage because he’d “never played it before” and he feels the tent has “the best energy”.
Everyone is sandwiched between each other, but still finding the room to shout out the lyrics to The A Team.
The crowd stretches at least 50 metres outside the tent, which makes getting out a problem. Not that anyone is right now.
Shaun Dacosta, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
A huge cheer as Ed Sheeran asks Liverpool how they’re feeling… From fans including Ellie, David and George.
“It’s absolutely mental,” Ellie tells us as the trio take a quick break from dancing.
George describes him as “the biggest artist in the world” - just as Radio 1’s Greg James did when he introduced him onto the stage.
“It’s a mental pull - the fact he managed, they managed to get him for a secret set,” David says, adding it’s “amazing what he does musically”.
“I was listening to him when I was four years old - and the fact he’s doing this right now is mental.”
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
It is absolutely deafening inside the New Music Tent! Everyone knows the words to Castle on the Hill.
We have phones out, kids on shoulders and a blockbuster start to Saturday.
There was some criticism when the Big Weekend lineup was announced over the lack of genuine A-List stars.
But Ed Sheeran’s appearance has helped beat off that criticism. A global star, happy to perform on a stage that isn’t the Main Stage.
Ed Sheeran has just started off his set on the New Music Stage - a smaller stage than the pop star is likely used to.
Don't worry, people already know about the surprise performance - we aren't spoiling it!
Sheeran has had a decades-long career in music, with hits like Thinking Out Loud, Drunk and Shape of You.
This gig will only add to his career-spanning list of surprise appearances. Last week the songwriter held a surprise gig in Sheffield, and earlier in the month popped up in a Suffolk pub.
You can catch his set live by clicking Watch live button at the top of this page. Dive in.
Shaun Dacosta, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
There’s so much anticipation in the air as stewards guide the crowd into the New Music Stage for Ed Sheeran’s set.
Speaking to festival goers over the weekend so far - the ‘Thinking Out Loud’ singer was the name on everyone’s lips. Sheeran last played at Big Weekend in Coventry in 2022.
Jade Burns
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Sophie, Phoebe and Nathan have travelled here to Sefton Park from Newcastle, via Leeds, to see Sam Fender tonight.
They said Newcastle “really own him” just like we own our Scouse bands in Merseyside.
The three mates were at the gates for 11:00 BST when they opened.
Ben Anderson, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
The New Music Stage is already packed after the announcement about 20 minutes ago that Ed Sheeran will be opening the stage at 13:15 BST.
Gemma, from Aigburth, says: “We’d heard rumours that it was Ed Sheeran but didn’t think that it could ever be true… Best secret set ever!”
Shaun Dacosta, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
The buzz and excitement is building at Sefton Park…because we know now Ed Sheeran’s taking to the New Music Stage for a secret set.
Which Chevy and Emily guessed just before it was announced…
“We have a feeling it’s going to be Ed Sheeran,” Chevy told us. Emily added she was “thinking Ed Sheeran just from rumours”.
But as you can see, there’s one man in particular these two are looking forward to.
“Every time I see him it’s the same excitement, I’m nervous now just to see him,” Emily tells Newsbeat about her seventh time seeing Sam Fender.
“We actually met at a Sam Fender gig in December, now we follow each other to the Sam Fender shows,” Chevy adds.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt's time for day two of BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend! The gates have been open since 11:00 BST, and fans are flooding in for another day of top notch music.
Ahead of Sam Fender this evening, there is a full programme on the main stage to keep you entertained in Liverpool this afternoon - and if you can’t make it to Sefton Park, you can follow the whole day from home by pressing Watch live at the top of this page.
Sugababes have told fans they are “buzzing” to be heading to Liverpool, telling us to “expect a lot of love, big tunes, and a show to remember.”
Fresh off his recent Brit Awards success, BBC Introducing Artist of the Year 2024 Myles Smith will also be taking the main stage today.
Wolf Alice, who released their new record Bloom Baby Bloom earlier this month, are also hitting the main stage. It’s their first new release since the band's album Blue Weekend four year ago.
Hailing from just down the road from Liverpool, Stockport’s Blossoms are on today’s main stage bill - keep an eye out to see if they bring their 8-foot fibreglass gorilla with them.
Singer-songwriter Tom Odell will be the first to start off the day’s main stage action.
But today there's also a special surprise set from Ed Sheeran at the Radio 1 New Music Stage.
Until then, stay tuned, as we bring you the latest from Sefton Park right here. Let's go!
Jack Burgess
Live page editor
Sam Fender will be Saturday night's headliner
We're pausing our live coverage of Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool now, after headliner Tom Grennan was joined on the festival's Main Stage by an impressive array of guests.
The Spice Girls' Mel C, YouTuber KSI, Ella Henderson and even The Zutons turned up.
That's far from it, though. We'll be back on Saturday afternoon as the music starts again, and continues on Sunday.
Sam Fender tops the bill tomorrow before Mumford and Sons bring the final night to a close on Sunday.
Blossoms, Wolf Alice, Myles Smith, Tom Odell are playing the Main Stage tomorrow as Aitch and AJ Tracey will be performing a special back-to-back show together on the New Music Stage.
See you tomorrow - same time, same place.
It has been a day full of nostalgia and, of course, who can forget the wombat stage invasion on the first day of Radio 1's Big Weekend.
In total 26 acts have given knock-out performances on four different stages to a crowd. Here's a glimpse at how the day unfolded:
Image source, PA MediaFestival-goers watch Natasha Bedingfield perform on the main stage. More than 100,000 musical fans are expected to attend the festival this year
The Spice Girls' Mel C joined Tom Grennan on the main stage
Image source, Getty ImagesNatasha Bedingfield got emotional at one point and thanked the crowd “for all the love"
Image source, PA MediaMatthew Murphy of The Wombats was joined by dancers dressed as wombats as he performed Let’s Dance to Joy Division
Image source, Getty ImagesSinger and songwriter Jazzy on the New Music Stage
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesKaty B on Big Weekend's New Music Stage
The day started in a sunny Sefton Park as Miles Temp kicked off the action on the BBC Introducing Stage.
Hometown heroes The Wombats were the first artists on the Main Stage and the happy vibes continued as fans were treated to performances by Natasha Bedingfield and DJ James Hype.
Elsewhere across the park, there was variety of gigs on the New Music Stage with performances from Katy B, Nia Archives and Confidence Man.
Families and friend groups enjoyed the food, drink and music in what felt like a really wholesome occasion.
But as the temperatures got colder and rain started to pour - flames, confetti and surprise guests from Friday's headline act Tom Grennan picked up the pace.
He entertained the Radio 1's Big Weekend crowd with a power-packed performance, including his well-known hits Found What I’ve Been Looking For and Higher.
Fans - undeterred by the wet and muddy field - were on their feet, jumping around after being treated to appearances by Ella Henderson, YouTuber KSI and Liverpool's own Mel C, and The Zutons.
Some told us it was their first Big Weekend, and what a great start it has been.
Wolf Alice are among tomorrow's acts
The first day of BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool is wrapping up after a great day of music.
The festival continues tomorrow and you can watch live and follow along right here on this page.
We'll be bringing you regular updates from our team of reporters on the ground in Liverpool's Sefton Park.
Taking to the Main Stage on Saturday will be Tom Odell, Sugababes, Myles Smith, Blossoms, Wolf Alice and headliner Sam Fender.
Sunday's line-up includes Tate McRae, Lola Young, Jorja Smith, Wet Leg, Haim and headliners Mumford and Sons.
So, whether you have a ticket or not, you'll be able to join the party right here.
Image source, PA MediaAn early confetti drop got the headline slot off to a glittering start
Image source, PA MediaThe Spice Girls' Mel C joined Grennan on stage, with them both wearing football tops
Image source, PA MediaCatchy tunes like Higher and All Goes Wrong all the way
Mitch Mansfield, BBC Newsbeat
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, PA MediaWhen this year’s line-up was announced on social media, many questioned why Tom Grennan was headlining - especially over the more established, experienced Biffy Clyro.
But Radio 1’s Big Weekend has a record of giving newer, younger acts a first shot at closing the main stage.
"You’re not a headliner until you’re a headliner" is sometimes said in the conversation around festivals.
Last year, it was Raye who rose to the moment in Luton. Has Grennan done the same tonight in Liverpool?
There’s no doubt it’s a thinner crowd than you might expect for a headline act - not helped by the weather - but the singer’s pulling out all the stops, with a series of special guests and a classy stage design.
All that would count for nothing if he didn’t now have the back catalogue of big ballads, which the crowd here are roaring back to him.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
The Zutons now on stage with Tom Grennan, with even bigger cheers from the crowd.
Together they sing Valerie.
A couple dressed in turquoise jackets share a really wholesome dance in front of me, even as the rain falls on all of us.
Eleanor Doyle and Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Tom Grennan literally lights up Sefton Park with All Goes Wrong - a Chase & Status song that he featured on back in 2016.
KSI gets the biggest cheer from the crowd.
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
Image source, PA MediaIn a symbolic moment during his set, Tom Grennan was joined on stage by Mel C, Sporty Spice.
Both donned football kits - Mel wore a Liverpool FC shirt, with the number nine on the back, while Tom’s Everton top was marked with a seven.
Together, they stood side by side to the number 97 - a tribute to the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.
Taking a pause from the music, Tom addressed the crowd with heartfelt words about "uniting the city".