Summary

Live Reporting

Edited by Jamie Whitehead and Thomas Mackintosh

  1. As expected, a huge crowd for Sam Fender

    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.

  2. Sam Fender is on stage - we're Getting Started
    Breaking

    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.

  3. Sam Fender is due on stage and he's excited to perform

    Sam Fender playing guitar in front of a microphone on a stand.

    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.

  4. The tide is moving towards Sam Fender

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

    People in coats and ponchos walking along.

    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.

  5. You'll Never Walk Alone plays across Big Weekend

    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.

  6. Sam Fender to headline Big Weekend shortly - he has a big summer ahead

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

    Sam Fender performing at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2022 on Saturday 28 May 2022

    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?

  7. Fancy an ice cream in the cold?

    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.

  8. 'I always find it weird people say we don't dance' - Sugababes

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

    Sugababes pose while singing on the Main Stage at Big Weekend. One of them has red hair and two have long brown hair.PA Media

    We 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.

  9. Rapper Big Zuu joins AJ Tracey's gig

    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.

  10. It's good to be back - Wolf Alice

    Ellie Rowsell and Theo Ellis take a selfie. Rowsell has brown hair and Ellis has blonde hair.

    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.

  11. In pictures: A powerful performance by Wolf Alice on the Main Stage

    Ellie Rowsell sings into a microphone. She has long brown hair and is wearing a sleeveless white top with two blue stars on it.PA Media
    Ellie Rowsell sings into a microphone while holding a hand up. She has long brown hair and is wearing a sleeveless top with two blue stars on it.PA Media
    Ellie Rowsell sings into a microphone while playing a red guitar. She has long brown hair and is wearing a sleeveless white top with two blue stars on it.PA Media

  12. Everyone's waiting for Aitch and AJ Tracey at the New Music Tent

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

    A large crowd stands in front of the New Music Stage at Big Weekend waiting for Aitch and AJ Tracey to perform.

    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.

  13. Discovering new voice Charlotte Plank

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

    Monty and Amy smile for the camera while stood in a crowd in front of the BBC Introducing Stage. Monty is wearing a black coat with the hood up over his head and has blue eyes. Amy is wearing a khaki-coloured coat and has blue eyes and brown hair.

    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:

    She has a really good vibe about her."

  14. Another not-so-secret set... this time on the BBC Introducing stage

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

    Charlotte Plank wears a black and brown checked coat at the MTV EMAs in 2024. She has blue eyes and long brown hair with blonde highlights in it.Getty Images

    Ed 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.

  15. No bad blood between rival football fans Aitch and AJ Tracey

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

    Aitch and AJ Tracey pose for the camera. Aitch is pointing at AJ Tracey while AJ Tracey holds up three fingers and leans on Aitch's shoulder. Aitch is wearing a white t-shirt, a silver necklace with colourful stones in it, and a baseball cap. He has blue eyes. AJ Trace is wearing a black jumper and has brown hair and brown eyes.

    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:

    We 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.

  16. 'I want stars on my outfit like Ellie from Wolf Alice'

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

    Rebecca and Becky smile for the camera while sat on green camping chairs and holding a drink each. Rebecca is wearing a maroon coat, beige trousers, white trainers, and sunglasses. Becky is wearing a shiny yellow jacket, a black and white studded top, black trousers, a brown cowboy hat, and yellow glitter on her face. Both women have blonde hair.

    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.”

    Wolf 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.

  17. Four festivals in three days for Luvcat

    Lauren Howell, BBC Radio Merseyside
    Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

    Luvcat sings into a microphone in front of a black and white BBC Introducing backdrop. She is wearing a red jacket and floral skirt. She has blonde and black hair.

    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!

    Luvcat sings into a microphone to a crowd at Big Weekend. She is wearing a red jacket and floral skirt. She has blonde and black hair.

  18. Rain's out... ponchos out

    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 smile for the camera while stood in a crowd in front of a stage at Big Weekend. Hope has ginger hair and blue eyes and Mimi of them has brown eyes and brown hair. They are both wearing black coats while people around the are wearing poncho raincoats and one person is holding an umbrella.

    Hope and Mimi are not letting the rain get them down

  19. A first glimpse into Wolf Alice's 'new era'

    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.

  20. Wolf Alice rocking the Main Stage

    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.