As it happened: BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend Sam Fender brings fireworks and 'unreal vibes'

Summary

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

Live Reporting

Edited by Jack Burgess & Matt Spivey

It's time for indie rockers The Wombatspublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 23 May
Image caption,
The Wombats pictured playing Reading Festival in 2021
Hometown heroes The Wombats are about to take to the Main Stage.
The infamous indie rock band from Liverpool formed in 2003 and have produced hit after hit, such as Let's Dance To Joy Division, Greek Tragedy, and Turn.
The band is made up of frontman Matthew ‘Murph’ Murphy, Tord Overland Knudsen and Dan Haggis. The trio met as teenagers and while studying nearby at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Art.
It seems only fitting that they get things going on the Main Stage today in Liverpool.
How to get to Sefton Parkpublished at 15:56 British Summer Time 23 May
Image source, EPA
Arguably the best known and most loved park in Liverpool, the 200-acre Sefton Park is Grade I listed by English Heritage.
But today, it plays host to Tom Grennan, The Wombats, Natasha Bedingfield and loads of others.
If you’re on your way to the park today or over the weekend, here’s how to get there.
Train: Liverpool Lime Street is the city’s main station, with national connections to many parts of the UK. There is another station called Liverpool Central.
The nearest stations to Sefton Park are St Michaels and Mossley Hill, each a 15-minute walk away.
From Liverpool Central, get the train toward Hunts Cross and get off at St Micheals.
From Liverpool Lime Street, get a train headed to Warrington, Manchester or Birmingham and get off at Mossley Hill.
Busses can be picked up form the Liverpool One bus station or Bootle bus station
There will be a shuttle bus service in operation, with busses running from Charlotte Street and Elliot Street to the site.
- Parking and more travel options, external
‘I’ve always wanted to go to a Big Weekend’published at 15:44 British Summer Time 23 May
Pete Allison, BBC Newsbeat
reporting from Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool
Oliver, Ellis and Cameron have made the trip from Wrexham, cheerfully describing themselves as “Ryan Reynold's Red Army”.
Cameron says he’s “always wanted to go” to a Big Weekend but adds the location has made it difficult.
This year is the first one in the north-west of England for 14 years.
The trio are only here for today and say they want to soak up “the sun and have a few drinks”.
Who are they are looking forward to seeing?... Biffy Clyro and James Hype.
Who's playing today at the Dance Stage?published at 15:36 British Summer Time 23 May
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
BBC Radio 1 DJ Charlie Hedges will be over on the Dance Stage today
Shelly's getting the party going at the Radio 1 Dance Stage right now.
If you're heading to that stage today, make sure you catch some of these:
- Shelly - 15:00 - 16:00
- Charlie Hedges - 16:00 - 17:00
- Martha - 17:00 - 18:00
- Paige Tomlinson - 18:00 - 18:45
- Girls Don't Sync - 18:45 - 19:30
- Fish56Octagon - 19:30 - 20:15
- Kettama - 20:15 - 21:00
'She showed up to my house two hours early'published at 15:30 British Summer Time 23 May
Helen Jones, BBC Radio Merseyside
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Image caption,
Isobella (left) and Lilly (right) are ready for Big Weekend
Isobella and Lilly tell BBC Radio Merseyside they are excited for the acts to start.
“I woke up late. She showed up to my house two hours early,” Isobella said.
“It took us like two hours to get ready,” they add.
'Stylish but comfy': Words of wisdom from BBC Radio 1's Vicky Hawkesworthpublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 23 May
Pete Allison, BBC Newsbeat
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool
Here at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend a very excited Radio 1 presenter, Vicky Hawkesworth, tells me she did a "sun dance" to try and ward away rain for this weekend's festival - and it seems to have worked.
As we look over the sights of Big Weekend awaiting people, Vicky says Big Weekend moving around the UK each year gives “everyone the opportunity” to see their favourite acts.
And they can even see the musicians in a "field they might have recently walked around on a leisurely stroll".
Even though she is wearing very high boots herself, Vicky’s top tip to festivalgoers is to “wear comfy shoes... stylish, but comfy”.
Previously... at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekendpublished at 15:10 British Summer Time 23 May
Image caption,
Sabrina Carpenter at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Luton last year
As we brace ourselves for a weekend of performances from some of the freshest names in the UK music industry, we're taking a brief look back at what happened at last year's Big Weekend.
Stockwood Park in Luton played host to the festival last year Friday 24 May – Sunday 26 May.
Coldplay, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Teddy Swims, Vampire Weekend, Aitch and many more took to the stage to wow the huge crowds of festival-goers.
We have a snapshot of all the unmissable moments from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2024 right here on the BBC, including the return of Becky Hill and a dance spectacle from Diplo.
Music is playing, queues are formingpublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 23 May
Hollie Cole
Live reporter
The gates are open and festival-goers are queuing up to get through security.
Big Weekend is already under way on the BBC Introducing stage, so let's hope the queues move quickly.
Don't know what to bring? The Big Weekend website has a list of what you can and can't take in.
Gary the 'Dadager' is very proud of his son - who opened up the Big Weekendpublished at 14:58 British Summer Time 23 May
Lauren Howell
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend for BBC Radio Merseyside
Image caption,
Miles Temp's dad, Gary, has been supporting his son
Gary Cook, Dad of Miles Temp, is very proud as his son has just opened the BBC Introducing Stage.
“I’m the Dad and I’m the manager… The Dadager is working overtime and loving every minute!”
Who's performing on the Main Stage today?published at 14:47 British Summer Time 23 May
Image source, PA Media
The music has just started at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool, as Miles Temp has taken to the BBC Introducing Stage.
But who will be playing on the Main Stage today, and when?
15:00-16:00 - Workout Anthems with Rickie & Melvin
16:00-16:35 - The Wombats
16:35-17:00 - Radio 1 Anthems with Nat & Nicky
17:00-17:30 - Natasha Bedingfield
17:30-18:05 - Pop Anthems with Dean McCullough
18:05-18:45 - James Hype
18:45-19:20 - Party Anthems with Sam & Danni
19:20-20:05 - Biffy Clyro
20:05- 20:45 - Dance Anthems with Charlie Hedges
20:45-21:45 - Tom Grennan
- What about the other stages? We've got you covered with the full line-up
The music starts blasting out in Sefton Parkpublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 23 May
Breaking
Manish Pandey
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend for BBC Newsbeat
BBC Newsbeat
The first music performance for Radio 1’s Big Weekend has kicked off! And it’s Miles Temp, the 18-year-old indie-pop singer-songwriter from Liverpool on the BBC Introducing Stage.
Miles has received the opportunity to play as BBC Introducing’s open mic winner.
BBC Introducing has championed many aspiring stars over the years who have gone on to make it big, including the likes of Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine, The 1975 and Little Simz.
There are shouts of “come on Miles” from the early crowd at the festival, during what has been a belting performance.
Show a Little Bit of Love for tonight's headliner Tom Grennanpublished at 14:28 British Summer Time 23 May
It has been a busy year for Bedford-born singer Tom Grennan.
After narrowly missing out on last-year’s coveted Christmas number one he’s released a new single, Boys Don’t Cry.
Tom has also encouraged mental health discussions at the BBC’s Make a Difference awards, and stumped up the last of the money needed to build a statue of former Coventry City players George Curtis and John Sillett outside the home of his beloved Sky Blues.
But it’s only going to get bigger - and busier - for Grennan. His new album, Everywhere I Went, Led Me to Where I Didn’t Want to Be, comes out in August.
He told the Mirror earlier this year the album would have a “different sound”, saying he’s “looking forward to see if people love it or not”.
Three singles have been released from the new album already, so there’s probably a fairly high chance we’ll be hearing some of the new material on the stage tonight.
This is Grennan’s third time playing the Big Weekend, following appearances in both 2022 and 2023.
How can I tune in to BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend?published at 14:20 British Summer Time 23 May
Image source, Getty Images
Haven’t got a ticket? Not a problem - you can still follow the party right here by clicking the play button at the top of this page.
There will also be non-stop coverage of the festival on BBC Radio 1, BBC Sounds, and BBC iPlayer.
An app dedicated to the festival is available to download, which comes with updates, an interactive map, and reminders for when your favourite acts are due to take to the stage:
- Download the app for iOS , external
- Download the app for Android , external
The Radio 1 YouTube channel, external will have highlights of the weekend, so you can watch your favourite performances again, and again, and again.
On Instagram, head to Radio 1’s Instagram, external’s account for behind-the-scenes content.
Full performances and highlights will be on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and at bbc.co.uk/bigweekend for 30 days to listen to or watch.
The calm before the stormpublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 23 May
Manish Pandey
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend for Newsbeat
I’ve just arrived on site for BBC Newsbeat at Sefton Park and it’s pretty… quiet.
The only people really visible are the security guards who are smiling and looking around in anticipation.
But very soon, this place will be heaving with people as Radio 1’s Big Weekend kicks off.
This is the fourth Big Weekend that I’ll be working for the BBC, and there is a familiar feeling in the air.
Something big is about to take place.
Gates open at Big Weekend for over 100,000 festival-goerspublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 23 May
Jack Burgess
Live page editor
Liverpool, a city famous worldwide for its music history and a place that knows how to throw a party. Could there be a better location for Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025?
The sun’s out in Sefton Park and we’re set for an epic few days.
This year’s line-up is brilliant, with Sam Fender, Lola Young, Sugababes, Blossoms, Mumford & Sons, HAIM and tons of other musicians set to perform across the three day festival.
Today, we’ve got Biffy Clyro, Tom Grennan, Natasha Bedingfield, James Hype, The Wombats and many more ready to kick the weekend off in style.
There are four stages at this year's festival and more than 100,000 music fans expected.
The gates are now opening and the music’s already starting to get under way.
If you’re in the UK, you can stream performances from the Big Weekend Channel, Main Stage and New Music Stage at the top of this page, and we’ll bring you all the latest updates and reaction right here.