Radio 1’s Big Weekend
BBC Radio 1’s annual Big Weekend takes to Liverpool’s Sefton Park in 2025, with the opening day featuring Tom Grennan and Biffy Clyro as headline acts for the locally-dubbed “Scouse Coachella”. It’s a jam-packed weekend, with an impressive 100-strong lineup including HAIM, Sam Fender, Myles Smith, Tate McRae, and more billed across the three days. Friday kickstarts the summer festival season whilst bringing about several nostalgically triumphant comebacks such as The Wombats, Natasha Bedingfield and Katy B, as well as exciting new artists including Irish dance-pop artist Jazzy and DJ Barry Can’t Swim across the three different stages.
With the sun shining (briefly) down on Liverpool, The Wombats are welcomed onto the Main Stage with huge cheers, soon followed by Natasha Bedingfield, who is still riding the joyful wave of a TikTok-fuelled resurgence some 20 years after her record first debuted. She weaves in timeless audience-favourites like Pocketful of Sunshine and These Words with powerhouse vocals amongst Coldplay and The Cranberries covers, before an inevitable finale in the form of Unwritten (accompanied by the statement “this song gives permission to have hope”) and one of the loudest singalongs in Sefton Park…including an unfortunate weather premonition with the lyrics “feel the rain on your skin”. Other featured artists include Wirral-born DJ James Hype, who admits that “this place is magical”, citing growing up 15 minutes away and frequently spending time in Liverpool, as well as Katy B showcasing her vocal and tempo range on the New Music Stage.
One of the main stage highlights is Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro and their self-professed “Bif Weekend Energy”. “Energy” is the perfect summary: from on-stage violins and pyrotechnics to an overflow of electric guitar riffs and high-octane drumming, the atmosphere is instantly heightened. Amped up tracks like Wolves of Winter set the stage alight but are balanced out by softer hits such as “love song” Re-Arrange and a very loud chorus in Bubbles, before concluding with Many of Horror.
Finally, it’s time for 29-year-old Tom Grennan to close Friday night at Big Weekend. With “Grennan” in large shining lights and joined on-stage by a brass band and mini gospel choir, there’s an old-school feel for an artist who has established himself as a modern-day chart and radio regular. Opening with Found What I’ve Been Looking For, these words seem fitting as the singer throws everything at the set, sharing both his gratitude and disbelief at his headliner status. He’s not alone, as there are numerous special guests and collaborations with the likes of Ella Henderson, KSI and even local-born Spice Girls legend Mel C. The duo wear clashing Everton and Liverpool FC shirts but poignantly make a tribute to the Hillsborough Disaster victims with the message, “We’re here to unite,” before duetting When You’re Gone.
One of the other standout surprises is the introduction of Liverpool band The Zutons for a joint rendition of Valerie. It’s true, Grennan may be a less obvious headline choice, but it’s clear he wants to put on the best show possible, and it’s difficult to deny the effort. The artist’s closing song returns to his roots; Something in the Water was a track he submitted to BBC Introducing back in 2016, and it’s a full-circle moment marking a decade of hustle. Less is more, and the acoustic performance is a quietly celebratory way to close the night.
Bev Lung
Photo: BBC / Sarah Jeynes / Jamie Simonds
For further information and future events, visit Radio 1’s Big Weekend’s website here.
Watch the video for the single Full Attention here:
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