BBC Radio 1 has announced its community outreach plans ahead of this year’s Big Weekend Festival in Liverpool, including a programme of open mic nights and panels for young people across the area.
BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Merseyside will join forces to host three open mic nights in venues across Merseyside. Sign-ups will be on a first come, first served basis at each venue each night.
A special one-off BBC Introducing show will air on both Radio 1 and Radio Merseyside on Thursday 22 May (8pm-10pm) with Radio 1’s Jess Iszatt and Radio Merseyside’s Dave Monks co-hosting live from the Radio Merseyside studio. The show will celebrate the local music scene, reflecting content captured from the open mic events and featuring Merseyside talent who will be performing on the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025.
In addition to open mic nights, Radio 1’s Life Hacks presenters, Lauren Layfield and Shanequa Paris and Newsbeat’s Eleanor Doyle will host four panels across Merseyside from Monday 31 March to Thursday 3 April. The panels will delve into key topics inspired by local young people, with Liverpool-based panellists and experts sharing their unique experiences and offering help, advice and insights to help young people take their next steps after school.
The topics and venues for the four panels are as follows:
- Monday 31 March: What’s Next? Navigating Life After School & College
Guests: Ryan Hall (@StillRyan), Nina Griffiths (Agent Academy), Holly Ellis (@the_scouse_scientist)
Venue: Shakespeare North Playhouse – Cockpit Theatre
Time: 4pm-5:30pm
- Tuesday 1 April: Beyond the Spotlight: Alternative Careers in Culture and Sport
Guests: Tarek Musa (Music Producer), Alix Waldron (Director of New Stadium Development), Hayden Cunningham (Esports Development Officer)
Venue: The People’s Club, Goodison Park
Time: 4pm-5:30pm
- Wednesday 2 April: Real World Ready: Practical Skills for Money, Work & Independence
Guests: Sasha Minns (Street League), Amina Atiq (Freelance Creative), Writing On The Wall
Venue: Carmel College, Dalton Theatre
Time: 2pm-3:30pm
- Thursday 3 April: Unstoppable You: Mastering Confidence, Connections, & Boundaries
Guests: Arts Emergency, Sian Davies (Comedian), Cordelia Stevenson (Arts Emergency), Writing On The Wall
Venue: Future Yard, Live Room
Time: 4pm-5:30pm
In May, Radio 1’s Life Hacks will dive into insightful reflections from the panels, highlighting key takeaways from their time in Liverpool. They’ll journey deeper into the topics, where audiences across the UK can participate by asking questions.
The shows, broadcasting daily from Sunday 18 May – Wednesday 21 May, will explore mastering essential life skills, building confidence, networking, alternative career paths and exploring different ways to take the next step after school.
Host Layfield said: “Everyone knows Scousers are the friendliest people you’ll ever meet so I can’t wait to head to one of my favourite cities for Radio 1’s Life Hacks. We want to find out what really matters to young people who live in and around Liverpool and hopefully have some important conversations, all before heading to Sefton Park in May to lose our voices screaming along to Sam Fender. It’s gonna be boss.”
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, added: “Radio 1’s Big Weekend isn’t just about the incredible weekend of live music, it’s also a chance for us to connect with young people in the host city and bring opportunities to local communities through our brilliant outreach programmes. This year’s programme focuses on career and development topics that matter to our listeners in Liverpool and beyond.
“I’m hugely grateful to all the experts and organisations who will be helping to deliver these panels, and I’m sure it will be an extremely insightful week.”
Elsewhere at this year’s festival, Grammy-nominated rock trio HAIM have been added to the main festival line up, joining the likes of Sam Fender, Tate McRae, Mumford & Sons, JADE, Tom Grennan, Confidence Man, Lola Young, AJ Tracey and more.
The band said: “We are so excited to be back at Radio 1’s Big Weekend. Can’t wait to play some new songs for you in Liverpool!”
