Pria Rai
BBC Newsbeat presenter at Big Weekend, Luton

Important things first, what’s the ground assessment.

Literally.

Well, the grass is mostly fine though muddy in places, boots would be recommended as the order of the day to ensure consistent dancing.

The sun keeps making a guest appearance, the sound checks are done and all four stages are ready.

The first of today’s 35,000 people excepted here rushed through the gates.

There’s everything to fill your metaphorical boots too, from fish and chip, burger van and chicken wings - and yes the bar is looking in good order too.

Radio 1’s Charlie Hedges said to me that the colourful tinsel flying in the air is giving Becky hill vibes, and she’s bang on.

Manish Pandey
BBC Newsbeat reporter at Big Weekend, Luton

All-female DJ group Girls Don't Sync have posted on Instagram to say they will no longer be playing at Big Weekend - "due to timings".

They were due to be on the Radio 1 Dance Stage.

We've asked Radio 1 for comment.

Andrew Rogers
BBC Newsbeat reporter at Big Weekend, Luton

Bethany and her grandma Vivian have arrived in Luton with the sun shining.

It’s Vivian’s first ever festival, at the age of 70.

“I’m down with the youngsters; so very happy,” Vivian says.

Bethany is “excited for all the acts” and says she’s here for the vibes.

Image source, PA Media

We're just moments away from the Main Stage's first big act starting and today's line-up is definitely going to set the tone for rest of the weekend.

First up, we're expecting Becky Hill to start performing from about16:00 BST, with the queen of dance bangers sure to get the crowd moving.

Nathan Dawe takes to the stage at 17:25 in his first set of 2024.

Ella Henderson - who shot to fame on The X Factor in 2012 - is likely to perform many of her Top 10 hits, including her solo hit Glow, from 18:50 onwards.

Rudimental will bring their boundless energy on stage at 20:20, with festivalgoers likely to hear many of their club classics.

Closing out Friday, drum and bass duo Chase & Status will headline the Main Stage from 21:50, with what promises to be a high-energy set.

Pria Rai
BBC Newsbeat presenter at Big Weekend, Luton

We’ve just been with Kenya Grace in the artist's dressing room, and she’s "excited" for her first ever UK festival, on the New Music Stage.

She reached the top of the UK charts last year with Strangers, and tells BBC Newsbeat she "loves storylines and storytelling lyrics".

Something eye-catching enhancing the comfort levels in here though, as we sit on a sofa… a pillow.

Not any old pillow, but one which is a "mini me" avatar of the singer made by her friend.

"It’s very cute… a bit creepy to be honest, at night-time when I see her," Kenya says.

Image source, Getty Images

Haven’t got a ticket? Not a problem - you can still join in the fun of Radio 1’s Big Weekend by clicking the play button at the top of this page.

There’ll also be non-stop coverage of the festival on BBC Radio 1, BBC Sounds, and BBC iPlayer.

The Radio 1 YouTube channel, external will also have highlights of the weekend for you, so you can watch your favourite performances again, and again, and again.

And if you can’t get enough of Big Weekend, you can immerse yourself in the festival by watching its behind-the-scenes content that’ll be on Radio 1’s Instagram, external.

With all of that at your fingertips, you can bring the festival with you wherever you are this weekend.

And don’t worry if you missed any part of the event.

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 to your heart’s content, so the party can keep going on after Sunday.

Andrew Rogers
BBC Newsbeat reporter at Big Weekend, Luton

Plenty of large groups have arrived at Big Weekend.

Ripley, Freya, Iris, Charlene, Ryan travelled from Bedford and Wellingborough – so not too far for them.

They tell us Diplo and Rudimental are on their list for people to see today.

Image source, PA Media

It’s a short train journey from London, it has a Premier League football team, and you might’ve been to the airport there.

If you guessed Luton, then you’d be correct.

This Bedfordshire town is about a 35 to 45 minute train journey from London St Pancras and is home to the Premier League football team Luton Town FC at its stadium Kenilworth Road.

London Luton Airport is on the edge of the town for jetting off on your holidays.

But this weekend you might be flying, driving or getting the train into Luton for Radio 1’s Big Weekend, which is being held in Stockwood Park.

The town’s been gearing up to welcome you all - but don’t worry if you can’t attend.

We’ll be bringing you all the fun and music from Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Luton here, so stay with us.

Jack Burgess
Live editor

Hello and welcome to the first day of Radio 1's Big Weekend 2024, which is this year being held in Luton.

Join us as we follow all the live action as some of the biggest names in music descend on Stockwood Park.

Chase & Status, Raye and Coldplay are this year's main headliners and they'll be joined by Becky Hill, Rudimental, Sabrina Carpenter, Olly Alexander, Vampire Weekend and many, many more.

There are four stages at this year's festival and about 35,000 people are expected at the site each day across the big weekend.

2024 is the first year where acts have played across all of the festival's four stages for three full days.

Gates opened today at 14:00 BST and the music is just starting to get underway.

Stick with us as we bring you the updates and reactions across the weekend, and if you're in the UK you can stream the performances live at the top of this page.