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
Kurtis, Lydia and their friends at Radio 1's Big Weekend
Kurtis and his girlfriend Lydia say they’re “falling in love with his new song.”
Kurtis says: “Amazing, it’s sick - we love it, proper vibes - we are falling in love with it. “
Kurtis and his girlfriend Lydia
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
Romaine says she missed out seeing James Hype in Ibiza.
Describing his performance today, she says it's "epic".
"What a display of music with so much personality. So good!" she says.
"He’s so big and seeing him at his home is amazing. The start of his set was iconic with all the fire.”
James is now playing his new song ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’, stay with us for more.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
There’s a lot of music to enjoy all over Sefton Park this evening.
I’ve just headed a couple of minutes away from the Main Stage to the Introducing Stage, where Billy Khan is performing.
The rapper is known for his high-energy freestyles and blends UK drill with Punjabi-influenced melodies.
He’s achieved multiple Number Ones on the Official British Asian Chart and has been tipped by Asian Network Introducing presenter Jasmine Takhar as one to watch in 2025.
Billy Khan is known for his high-energy freestyles
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
James Hype is in the house and has taken the main stage.
The crowd is loving it, hands in the air and the energy is high.
He’s headlining to a home crowd, surrounded by glitter, bucket hats, and plenty of sunglasses still on in Sefton Park, even as the afternoon heat begins to ease.
Pete Allison, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesI’ve been catching up with DJ and producer James Hype, who has just started performing on the Main Stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend.
His set began with a voice saying "James Hype in the house, Liverpool in the house".
And speaking of Liverpool, he has fond memories of Sefton Park, where he “used to coming running”.
The fondness for the park will continue this evening, as he tells me his mum and sister are watching him perform.
Known for hits such as Ferrari, Drums and More Than Friends, he says he feels like he “knows the music that’s going to get people [in Liverpool] moving”.
And he promises something new this evening, which he calls “Sync - a visual experience where all the screens and lights are controlled by the decks in real time.”
Merryn Robinson, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesJames Hype pictured performing in Liverpool last year
DJ James Hype, who grew up on the Wirral, is up next on the Main Stage.
He tells me he used to do cross country runs through the park as a kid.
Fast forward a few years and he’s back — but this time, he’s not chasing a finish line, he’s firing up the Big Weekend crowd
“This is actually really exciting because this is like chaos times 10," he tells me.
“This is the first time that the world is going to see my brand new sync show which is something that we've been putting together for like 12 months," he adds.
Image source, Getty Images“We've got loads of LED screens, even the DJ booth is made out of LED screens, but the coolest part is that they are all controlled by the decks," Hype says.
He also says he expects the Liverpool crowd to bring it 100%.
“I had my musical education in Liverpool. The first clubs I ever DJ-ed in were in Liverpool, I lived in the city for years.
“I know that the people of Liverpool love dance music and they are going to be bringing the energy.”
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Here we go, it's Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.
I can see partners singing to each other, parents singing to kids and the crowd swaying along.
It's the song the fans were waiting for.
Miles Temp got things started on the BBC Introducing Stage earlier today
BBC Introducing has supported many new and emerging artists over the years, and Big Weekend is a chance to showcase them.
Maybe you'll find your new favourite artist on the BBC Introducing Stage - head on over there and find out.
Miles Temp, Leonie Biney, Jayahadadream and Esme Emerson have been up already today.
Next up is Billy Khan from 18:00 - 18:30, Tonia 19:00 - 19:30 and Crawlers from 20:00 - 20:40.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
A pause now and Natasha Bedingfield says: “At some point what’s cringe becomes not so cringe anymore.”
She then, rather emotionally, thanks the crowd “for all the love" before singing These Words. Another classic Bedingfield banger which the crowd approves of.
Lauren Howell, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Hannah (right) ready to sing along in Sefton Park with her daughter Emma (left)
Hannah, 77, says she is “absolutely thrilled” to be at her first ever music festival.
She has come with her daughter Emma, 50, after winning tickets on BBC Radio Merseyside.
Quote MessageIt’s my first rock concert at the age of 77!"
“We're having a wonderful time and we couldn't ask for better weather," she says.
“I hope it's like this for tomorrow and Sunday.”
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
A group of about eight people to my right scream loudly when Natasha Bedingfield starts singing Pocketful of Sunshine.
They are singing to each other, carrying out the instructions that we just heard from Bedingfield to “let the music carry you away”.
Hollie Cole
Live reporter
Image source, PA MediaWhat a performance from The Wombats a short while ago!
Image source, PA MediaThe dancers dressed as wombats took many by surprise.
Image source, PA MediaManish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Just about enough time between performances to grab a water - before hearing deafening cheers for Natasha Bedingfield making her way on to the Main Stage.
Dressed in all black, she does a few shuttle runs on stage, amping up the crowd and encouraging us to join in.
She thanks BBC Radio 1 for playing her music through the years.
Many, including me, are patiently waiting for Unwritten…
Manish Pandey
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image source, James Watkins / BBCNatasha Bedingfield is starting her set now at Big Weekend - for the second year running.
Last year, in Luton, it was as a guest during Ella Henderson’s performance.
But this year, she has her own slot.
And the song everyone will be wanting to hear is, of course, Unwritten.
It has been 21 years since it was released, but it returned to the charts last year after featuring in the 2023 film Anyone But You and going on to soundtrack hundreds of thousands of TikToks as a result.
Bedingfield, who now lives in New York, recently made a surprise appearance during Burnley FC’s promotion celebrations at Turf Moor, the club's stadium.
We wonder if any inhibitions will get released this evening.
Barry Can't Swim will be up on the New Music Stage at 16:45 BST
With several stages at Big Weekend, there's something for everyone.
But if you're keen to find some acts you might not have listened to before, here a look at today New Music Stage's line-up.
D.O.D is about to finish and Barry Can't Swim is up next:
You can watch a live stream from the New Music Stage by opening the Watch & Listen tab at the top of this page.
Manish Pandey, BBC Newsbeat
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
And breathe.
What a start by The Wombats to the main Main Stage artist performances.
The crowd were treated to hometown heroes, and the rock band were nostalgic at times - reflecting back on growing up “five minutes down the road”.
Plenty more to come this evening!
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
Freya Burns (second from the left) is here at Big Weekend with her friends
Freya Burns, who’s in the crowd dancing with her mates and singing along to every song, says: “I didn’t realise I was such a big Wombats fan - I’m back in Liverpool and everything’s the same!
Quote MessageIt’s popping off! It’s my first time at Big Weekend - I'm so happy to be here."
Freya
"I love it... 10/10 so far. We will be back every day,” she adds.
Manish Pandey
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend for Newsbeat
Unsurprisingly, The Wombats have drawn the biggest cheer of the afternoon so far because of the first line of Let’s Dance to Joy Division.
“I’m back in Liverpool,” - which even has my Newsbeat colleague Eleanor Doyle (a scouser), on her feet.
She tells me this is her fifth time seeing The Wombats live.
Eleanor Doyle, BBC Newsbeat
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
The home crowd is singing along to one of The Wombat’s biggest hits, Let’s Dance to Joy Division.
Dancers dressed as wombats infiltrate the stage to boogie to the hit in the 17 degree heat.
Eleanor Doyle and Manish Pandey
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
They’re back in Liverpool - and everything isn’t the same!
The Wombats, who originate from the city, are kicking off this Big Weekend at Sefton Park to a home crowd, with lead singer Matthew Murphy telling them he used to run here as a child.
Starting off with: "Sorry I’m late, I didn’t want to come", the crowd is already dancing and swaying side to side.
The band has a really healthy crowd watching them in the Merseyside sun and it's growing with every song.
Bucket hats, sunglasses and drinks in hand - this is the place to be on a Friday afternoon.