Ed Sheeran performs at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2018
(Picture: PA)The summer is fast approaching, and with it, one of the hottest dates in your musical calendar: Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
With some huge artists lined up to grace the stage (and your eardrums), there’s a lot to look forward to. Here’s what you need to know.
What is it?
Radio 1’s Big Weekend is the radio station’s event of the summer. With some of the biggest names in the world lining up to play, it’s a weekend-long musical event covering a variety of genres - from alternative rock to pop and UK rap.
Though the event has been cancelled for the past two years due to the pandemic, it’s back and bigger than ever. The Big Weekend travels around the UK, taking place in a different venue every year: this time around, it will be in War Memorial Park in Coventry between Friday May 27 and Sunday May 29.
Gates open at 3pm on Friday, and the event will finish at 11pm every night.
What should you expect?
The Big Weekend is laid out much like your standard musical festival, with a range of themed stages to visit and enjoy.
Alongside the main stage (which, this year, will be hosting names like Ed Sheeran and Yungblud), people can check out the Future Sounds Stage and the BBC Music Introducing Stage (for up-and-comers) if they want something a little different.
Who’s playing?
The line-up this year promises to be one to remember.
On Friday May 27, the BBC Music Introducing stage will host Anish Kumar, Barry Can’t Swim, Hannah Laing, Jaguar B2B Absolute, Junior Simba, Kilig, Lau.ra, and Taahliah.
Meanwhile, the Future Sounds stage will see Disclosure, Boyoca, Danny Howard, Eats Everything, Shermanology, Jodie Harsh, LP Giobbi, Ben Helmsley, Patrick Topping, Pete Tong, Frankie Wah, Sam Divine, Sarah Story and Jaguar.
The Radio 1 Dance Stage will host Amy Elle, Bklava, Craig & Grant Gordon, Emily Nash, LF System, Meg Ward, Nia Archives and Prospa.
On Saturday May 28, the main stage will welcome Calvin Harris, Ed Sheeran, Aitch, AJ Tracey, Anne-Marie, Central Cee, Joel Corry and Yungblud.
On the Future Sounds Stage, Sam Fender, Easy Life, Fontaines D.C., KSI, Mimi Webb, Pa Salieu, Sigrid and Tom Grennan will be playing.
On the BBC Music Introducing Stage, you’ll be able to see Artemas, Celina Sharma, Deyah, Jordan Mackampa, Tamera, Thomas Headon, Usna and Willow Kayne.
The Radio 1 Dance Stage will see Adele Roberts, Charlie Tee, Gemma Bradley, Jaguar, Nadia Jae, Pete Tong, Rene LaVice and Sarah Story.
Finally, head to the Radio 1 Relax Tent to see Penelope and Sian Eleri.
On Sunday May 29, the main stage will host Harry Styles, George Ezra, Becky Hill, Charli XCX, Dermot Kennedy, Jax Jones, Lorde and Mabel.
On the Future Sounds Stage, Foals, Alfie Templeman, Griff, Holly Humberstone, Joy Crookes, Koffee, Rina Sawayama and popular newcomers Wet Leg will be playing.
The Radio 1 Dance Stage will be seeing Arielle Free, Danny Howard, Jeremiah Asiamah, Kenny Allstar, Matty Chiabi, Sian Anderson, Target and Tiffany Calver.
In the Radio 1 Relax Tent, Jess Izsatt and Jessie Marcella will be playing.
Finally, the BBC Music Introducing Stage will be welcoming Alfie Indra, Crawlers, Danniella Dee, Hope Tala, Lizzie Esau, Piri & Tommy, Queen Mills and Sad Night Dynamite.
How can I watch it?
Unfortunately, tickets for the show are now all sold out, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep up with who’s playing.
BBC Radio 1 will be curating and playing elements of the show live as it happens over the weekend, and you can head to BBC iPlayer to catch all the action (with the added bonus of video).
There will also be coverage of the event on the BBC Sounds App and on BBC One. If you’d rather use social media, then BBC Radio 1 will be sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Big Weekend on their Instagram account too.
