BBC Radio 1 has announced a brand new Radio 1 Anthems slot for this year’s Big Weekend 2025 festival, which will take place in Sefton Park, Liverpool from Friday 23 May – Sunday 25 May, calling up a pair of legends from pop history to celebrate iconic tracks and unforgettable moments from the past two decades of music.
The debut headline Radio 1 Anthems acts are Natasha Bedingfield, performing Friday 23 May and Sugababes, performing Saturday 24 May.
Bedingfield said: “It’s a big deal to be part of Radio 1’s Big Weekend. I can’t wait to jump up on stage and sing my heart out with everyone. Let’s hope some inhibitions get released.”
Sugababes added: “We’re buzzing to be playing Radio 1’s Big Weekend. We’ve heard amazing things about the energy and the crowds, so we’re excited to be part of it this year. Expect a lot of love, big tunes, and a show to remember.”
READ MORE: Stranger Things star Matthew Modine onboards legendary Scottish director doc
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, said: “Radio 1’s Big Weekend is about bringing people together through the music they love, and our Radio 1 Anthems artists are a perfect example of that. These acts have soundtracked unforgettable moments for our audience and continue to resonate with listeners today – whether they’re rediscovering the songs or discovering them for the first-time.
“I’m really excited about this brand-new addition to Big Weekend and can’t wait to see the impact these iconic acts will have on the crowd in Liverpool.”
The new addition to Big Weekend is in keeping with the Radio 1 Anthems extension which launched on BBC Sounds last November (2024) and was provisionally approved by Ofcom last week to launch on DAB+. Radio 1 Anthems helps the station’s young listeners to discover and re-discover a wide range of music and artists championed by Radio 1 throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
With over 100,000 music fans expected to attend across the weekend, audiences can look forward to nostalgia-packed, feel-good sets full of timeless hits and throwback moments from these two iconic acts. They join a stellar line-up which already includes Sam Fender, Tate McRae, Mumford & Sons, HAIM, Tom Grennan, JADE, Lola Young, AJ Tracey plus many more.
BBC Radio 1 will broadcast live from the festival site across the weekend, with performances and tracks available live and on demand across Radio 1’s iPlayer channel and BBC Sounds.
More information on the line-up and tickets can be found on the Radio 1 Big Weekend website.
Image: Man Alive! / Creative Commons
