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
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Another surprise, and one that’s been teased all week - YouTuber KSI is joining Grennan.
“We’re about to go wild for this,” Grennan promises the growing number of fans now moving to the front near the stage.
Liverpool’s very own Spice Girl Mel C joins Tom Grennan on stage!
While you might be expecting cheers for a hometown hero - she’s roundly booed by some for wearing a Liverpool FC jersey.
However, Grennan puts on an Everton top and they joke about "restoring the balance" for the crowd - many of them must be Everton football fans.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Tom Grennan takes a moment to reflect on his journey to headlining Radio 1's Big Weekend.
In 2016, in Exeter, he was playing the BBC Introducing Stage.
Quote MessageThe fact BBC Radio 1 has believed in me; thank you so much.”
Tom Grennan
He then starts singing his new song, Full Attention, which receives cheers from the crowd.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Quote MessageI love this city so much… we’re about to take this higher."
Tom Grennan
People around me are juggling their food and drinks while trying to jump higher… and higher.
And the first surprise of his set is... Ella Henderson joining him on stage!
Mitch Mansfield, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
It might’ve turned a little grey and wet outside, but it’s a summer party inside a packed New Music tent - with Confidence Man putting on a typically theatrical, confident show.
Their latest album is called 3AM (La La La), and it’s been feeling like an early morning rave in here.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
You normally have to wait until the end of the performance for a confetti drop - but Tom Grennan is embracing Friday vibes early.
People have donned their ponchos as we get some light rain.
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
Tom Grennan, tonight's headline act, has just started singing on the Main Stage. He was introduced by Minah from the Traitors and Greg James and entered to She Loves You by Liverpool icons The Beatles.
People are running to the stage to catch his performance.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesTom Grennan is about to take to the main stage and he’s already teased a surprise guest: YouTuber KSI.
Interaction between the two was posted on his socials earlier this week, and it’s bound to be a popular choice among festival-goers here.
Born in Bedford, Grennan has a distinctive tone which comes in part from having four metal plates and screws in his jaw.
His first big break came as a guest vocalist on Chase & Status’ All Goes Wrong track in 2016, and he has subsequently had his own big hits with songs such as Higher, Little Bit Of Love, and Found What I’ve Been Looking For – the soundtrack to FIFA 18.
He released his debut album Lighting Matches in 2018 and has gone on to have two number one albums with 2021's Evering Road, and 2023's What Ifs & Maybes.
Grennan was in the hunt for the 2024 Christmas Number One with his Amazon release It Can't Be Christmas. But he lost out to WHAM!'s Last Christmas.
Jenny Coleman, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend
Amongst the - mainly local - crowd, we've spotted some celebrities lurking.
Traitors series three winner Jake Brown was seen enjoying the sun and soaking in the acts.
Alongside him was Freddie Fraser, who was famously betrayed by fellow traitor Charlotte in the recent series.
Thankfully, the pair had no banishments to avoid today - just great acts and sunshine.
No sign of Claudia and her trademark fringe just yet, though.
Lauren Howell, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Leo, Callum, Jacob and Liv are enjoying the weekend so far
As Biffy Clyro make their way off stage, let's catch up on what we've heard from some of you in Sefton Park today.
Leo, Callum, Jacob and Liv say they had been looking forward to the festival for weeks.
“I bought my tickets ages ago,” Jacob tells us. “I'm from Fazakerley so it's not that far for me.
Quote MessageThe vibes are amazing and the weather is boss.”
Jacob
Liv from Aintree and Callum from Anfield said they are both here for the weekend and are excited to see Blossoms and Sam Fender tomorrow.
“It’s been really good so far,” Liv says, adding "the acts are really good and all the staff are lovely".
Mitch Mansfield, BBC Newsbeat
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
If you’re a BBC Radio 1 listener, there’s a good chance I CAN’T LOSE YOU has been stuck in your head in recent months.
It’s one of many infectious pop bangers from Confidence Man's brilliant 2024 album, 3AM (La La La).
From Brisbane to Liverpool, there’s something about the duo's eccentric style that’s connecting with UK crowds.
Expect some eye-catching outfits, as well as body-moving beats.
They'll be on the New Music Stage in about 10 minutes' time.
Shaun Dacosta, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, PA MediaJust as the rain starts to trickle down on to people at the festival, Biffy Clyro begin playing their song Black Chandelier.
It starts with “Drip, drip, drip, drip” - very apt for everyone in the crowd here right now.
Shaun Dacosta, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Following Katy B on the New Music Stage is Nia Archives - with an electric set blending a mix of fast BPMs with eclectic sound.
“Are you ready to come and dance?” she asks the crowd as she plays out her track Off Wiv Ya Headz.
The crowd responds by joining in every word of the chorus, led by the jungle musician’s energy.
She told Newsbeat earlier today she was feeling nervous ahead of the set, as she hasn’t performed in a while and has been working on new music.
No-one here would know she was nervous!
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
The temperature may have dropped, but Biffy Clyro are turning up the heat.
Shirts are off, launching straight into their first few songs.
Lead singer Simon Neil says “it’s lovely to be here”.
It’s Allison’s third time seeing Biffy Clyro, she says: “the crowd is actually so chill - I was at Luton last year and it’s actually so great to see them again”.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Nia Archives pictured performing at Reading Festival last year
It’s been just over a year since Nia Archives dropped her introspective debut album, ‘Silence is Loud’.
But there’s nothing silent about her performances - pushing jungle and drum & bass into a new era.
The Bradford-born DJ is proud to be from the north of England, previously telling BBC Newsbeat about her hopes for a Brit school in the city.
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
The temperature might have dropped, but the energy in Sefton Park is still high.
People have been flocking to the main stage.
There was a buzz running through the crowd as everyone waited for Biffy Clyro’s arrival on stage.
Everyone knows it’s about to go off.
Shaun Dacosta, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesA short while ago I spoke to Nia Archives, who has just started her set on the New Music Stage.
She says she is “feeling a bit nervous” because it’s been a while since being on stage - but that playing in Liverpool is “good fun”.
Nia has recently won artist of the year at the Northern Music Awards, and says for the next generation of stars, “it’s great to have things to look forward to and accolades to achieve”.
She has also recently launched a new, independent label, and says it has “brought the love of music back” to her.
“Doing the label is really fun because it’s shining a spotlight on the new generation of artists.”
Mitch Mansfield, BBC Newsbeat
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesBiffy Clyro are no strangers to Big Weekend.
It’s been almost 20 years since the alt-rock band from Kilmarnock played here first.
Now certified veterans at this point, they’ve had impressive staying power, especially given how experimental - and heavy - their music can be at times.
Simon Neil’s screams might be too much for some here, but there’s no doubt they still have enough classic tracks, pop hooks and anthemic choruses to get the Sefton Crowd singing with them at the Main Stage.
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
Image source, PA MediaWe caught up with The Wombats after their set.
“We’re in this park most days,” they said. “As Murph mentioned on stage, it’s surreal playing somewhere so close to home.”
They add that Liverpool hosting the festival "is a massive boost - not just for the city, but for the whole area. This park is perfect for a festival.”
“Music is in people’s blood here," they add, "everyone’s up for a good time, up for the music. This is where it all began for us, so it’s a really special moment".
Pete Allison, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Sefton Park
Expect tonight’s mainstage headliner Tom Grennan to add some "Spice" to his set - the sporty kind.
He’d been teasing a special guest on his socials - Liverpool’s own, Mel C - and has been telling us more about it backstage.
“She's a superstar, and this is obviously her manor.”
“I've been friends with Mel for a while now,” he adds, “and I just felt like we should do something special - thank God she said yes!”
“She’s such a supporter of young talent.”