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Sefton Park came alive with music, colour, and crowds as BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend took over Liverpool for three epic days of live performances. With over 100,000 attendees and a diverse bill of artists spanning pop, rock, R&B, and electronic, the festival offered something for everyone — from household names to rising stars.
Friday: A Local Love-In and Dancefloor Heat
Liverpool legends The Wombats launched the weekend with a hometown set full of energy and nostalgia. Their indie anthems, including Let’s Dance to Joy Division, were met with massive cheers — and frontman Matthew Murphy’s shout-out to local roots resonated across the Main Stage.
Elsewhere, Barry Can’t Swim lit up the New Music Stage, blending electronic, house, and jazz while proudly donning an Everton shirt — earning local applause and grooving fans.
Natasha Bedingfield delivered feel-good pop and unexpected moments — her powerful vocals on Unwritten and a surprise cover of Zombie by The Cranberries proved to be crowd favourites.
Girls Don’t Sync brought the party to the Dance Stage, throwing one of the most euphoric sets of the night, while Katy B had fans dancing non-stop under the tent with hits like Lights On and Katy on a Mission.
Then came Biffy Clyro, who proved yet again why they remain festival giants. Rain began to fall during Black Chandelier, enhancing the atmosphere before the emotional closer, Many of Horror.
Tom Grennan’s headline performance was full of surprises. He brought out Ella Henderson and Mel C, the latter in Liverpool red, to duet on When You’re Gone. A heartfelt tribute to Hillsborough followed, with Grennan and Mel’s shirts reading 9 and 7 respectively. He capped off his set with appearances from KSI and The Zutons for an explosive finale.
Saturday: Pop Icons, Indie Gems, and Ed Sheeran’s Surprise
The biggest shock of Saturday came early: Ed Sheeran took to the New Music Stage for a surprise stripped-back set. The intimate atmosphere was electric, even if some fans were left outside due to capacity.
The Sugababes delivered a dazzling trip down memory lane, their classics sounding as fresh as ever under clear blue skies. Myles Smith made his Main Stage debut with charm and killer vocals — tracks like Nice To Meet You left a real impression.
Blossoms were as smooth as ever, their indie-pop grooves a perfect match for the sunshine. Wolf Alice brought a harder edge, with Ellie Rowsell’s voice cutting through the park on songs like Smile and Don’t Delete the Kisses.
Headliner Sam Fender owned the night, delivering an emotionally charged set that moved between stadium-sized anthems and heartfelt ballads. Spit of You and Seventeen Going Under had the crowd in bits, while Hypersonic Missiles closed the night with fireworks and pure joy.
Sunday: Soul, Chaos, and a Joyous Finale
Sunday started mellow with Lola Young’s soul-infused sounds drifting across the park. Then came the madness: Fat Dog brought raw, punk-fuelled energy to the BBC Introducing Stage, shaking things up in the best way.
Jorja Smith provided a calm centre with her velvety R&B, while Courting injected some local edge with their post-punk punch and scathing wit.
Over on the Main Stage, Wet Leg were all cheeky charm and wonky hooks — Chaise Longue became an anthem of the day. Then came Self Esteem, who turned her set into a cathartic, communal experience with bold, honest lyrics that struck a chord with fans.
HAIM delivered tight harmonies and sun-soaked California cool on the New Music Stage before Mumford & Sons took the festival home. The folk-rock titans led the park in one last singalong with I Will Wait, sending fans into the night buzzing from an unforgettable weekend.
Catch up on the performances
If you missed it — or just want to relive the best bits — you can find highlights from BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend on BBC Sounds and iPlayer.