Radio One this morning announced the first tranche of acts for its 2025 Big Weekend Festival, due to be held in Sefton park, Liverpool, from Friday May 23 – Sunday May 25.
Geordie headliner Sam Fender will be joined this year by Stockport’s Blossoms, Myles Smith, Wet Leg, and Londoner Lola Young, who achieved her debut UK #1 with ‘Messy’ last weekend, with many more acts still to be announced in the run up to the event.
In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about the event:
Overview
Radio 1 Big Weekend is an annual music festival organized by BBC Radio 1, typically held in the UK. It is known for showcasing a diverse lineup of popular music artists across various genres, making it one of the most anticipated events in the UK music calendar. The festival usually takes place over a weekend in late spring and is free to attend, with tickets often allocated through a lottery system.
Lineup
The full lineup for 2025 has yet to be revealed, although this morning’s announcement revealed a first tranche of acts including headliner Sam Fender, Blossoms, Myles Smith, Wet Leg, and Lola Young,Radio 1. The Big Weekend traditionally features a mix of established stars and emerging talent and past performers have included the likes of Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Chase and Status, and encompassed a wide range of artists from pop, rock and hip-hop to electronic music. Expect to see headliners who are currently dominating the charts, as well as a selection of up-and-coming acts that Radio 1 is keen to promote.
Tickets and Access
The Big Weekend ticketing process usually involves a registration phase, where fans can sign up for a chance to secure tickets. Once registration closes, a lottery system is employed to allocate tickets to those who registered. This system is designed to ensure that a wide range of fans have the opportunity to attend, although it can be uber-competitive. The event used to be free, and was dubbed “the biggest free ticketed music event in Europe,” but like a lot of things it isn’t anymore. More recently a charge has been introduced, with 2024 tickets costing £29.50 with a £4.50 booking fee. A proportion of tickets are usually set aside for local residents.
In addition to general admission tickets, there may also be options for VIP experiences, which could include perks such as better viewing areas, exclusive access to certain areas, and hospitality services. Details about ticketing, including dates for registration and allocation, will be announced closer to the event.
Location and Logistics
This year’s Big Weekend will take place in Sefron Park, Liverpool. Past events have been held in cities such as Glasgow, Hull and Middlesbrough. The choice of location is often influenced by the desire to reach different audiences across the UK and the festival typically features multiple stages, allowing for a variety of performances to occur simultaneously.
Attendees should prepare for a lively atmosphere, with food stalls, merchandise stands, and various activities to enhance the festival experience. Accessibility options are usually available, ensuring that all fans can enjoy the event.
Fans should stay tuned to Radio 1’s official website and social media channels for the latest updates on the lineup, ticketing, and other essential information as the event date approaches.
