Radio 1’s Big Weekend is coming to Liverpool

Get ready Liverpool, Radio 1’s iconic Big Weekend is finally heading to Liverpool!

One of the UK’s most anticipated music events, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, is back for another incredible year, this time in our very own city. 

This morning on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Greg James revealed that superstar Sam Fender will be headlining Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025 which will be held in Liverpool from Friday 23 May – Sunday 25 May. Myles Smith, Wet Leg, Blossoms and Lola Young (following her debut UK #1 with ‘Messy’ as announced on Radio 1’s Official Chart last Friday) were also announced as the first acts set to perform.

Over the course of the weekend, around 100 acts will take to the stage, from the biggest artists in the world to exciting new and emerging artists, performing across four stages: Radio 1 Main Stage, Radio 1 New Music Stage, Radio 1 Dance and BBC Introducing. With over 100,000 music fans expected to attend, the event promises to be an unforgettable music spectacular.

The first artists to be announced are (in alphabetical order):

• Blossoms
• Lola Young
• Myles Smith
• Sam Fender
• Wet Leg

Radio 1’s Big Weekend, the station’s flagship live music event, kicks off the UK’s festival season by bringing some of the biggest UK and international artists to cities that may not otherwise host such a large scale event. From Taylor Swift in Norwich, Miley Cyrus in Middlesbrough, Stormzy in Exeter, Lana Del Rey in Hull, Ed Sheeran in Coventry, Bruno Mars in Derry/Londonderry, The 1975 in Dundee, and Sabrina Carpenter in Luton, music fans around the UK have seen superstar acts perform on their doorsteps. The festival shines a light on the surrounding area and provides a major boost to the local economy, with huge demand for tickets ensuring the event sells out almost immediately every year. Last year’s festival generated £7 million for the host city of Luton.

This year, the BBC is working closely with Liverpool City Council to ensure that Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025 is a safe and secure environment for all those attending the festival.

Sam Fender says: “Excited to announce we’re coming to Liverpool for Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May. Thanks for inviting us – see you there!”

Myles Smith says: “This is unreal. Big Weekend was always a dream of mine, and to be on the line-up again is insane. Thank you to everyone who’s been listening, supporting, and coming to shows. I couldn’t have done this without you. See you there!”

Blossoms say: “We’re delighted that Radio 1 have invited us to play at this year’s Big Weekend. Even more so because it’s taking place in Liverpool, a city close to our hearts, where we’ve worked and recorded every single one of our albums since our debut in 2016. It’s going to be a really special weekend and we can’t wait to perform.”

Lola Young says: “I can’t wait to play Radio 1’s Big Weekend. It’s going to get Messy! Me + the Liverpool crowd = One Big Weekend… see what I did there!!”

Greg James said:

“FINALLY…Radio 1 HAS COME BACK…to Liv…er…pooool!

“The last time I was there I was doing a big game of Hide and Seek and was hidden in the Liver building for a week so it’ll be nice to see some daylight and enjoy it properly this time. We can’t wait to bring the biggest artists in the world to this brilliant city in May. Everyone’s going to LOVE the line-up!”

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, said:

“We’re thrilled to bring Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025 to Liverpool. Liverpool’s vibrant music scene and rich history make it the perfect setting for this iconic event. With incredible artists already announced and more to be announced in the coming months, it’s set to be an unmissable weekend.”

Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: 

“Radio 1’s Big Weekend has found the perfect home this year in Liverpool. Our music, our audiences and our history of delivering world class major events add up to what is certain to be an incredible three days this May.”

Further information about Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025, including headliners and full line-up and ticketing details will be announced on Radio 1 in the coming months.

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.

Radio 1 and Liverpool City Council will be working together to try and make this the most sustainable outdoor live music event ever produced in the city in line with the BBC’s Sustainability programme and Liverpool’s status as the first UN Accelerator City for climate action. For more information about Liverpool please head to the Visit Liverpool website.

Find out more about Radio 1’s Big Weekend here.

Find all the latest events throughout the city region in our calendar.