Big Weekend came to Liverpool this past weekend, bringing a wave of energy, excitement, and world-class music to Sefton Park, proving once again that Liverpool knows how to throw a festival to remember. SFN‘s Jack Cinnamond reports.
BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend descended on Sefton Park, Liverpool, and in doing so, delivered a weekend that felt tailor made for the city’s moment in the spotlight. With Liverpool FC celebrating their Premier League title win on the same weekend, the atmosphere in the city was nothing short of electric, and Radio 1’s festival was perfectly positioned to ride that wave of euphoria.
Radio 1’s takeover of Sefton Park was, by any metric, a resounding success. The layout was a masterclass in festival planning, four stages spread thoughtfully across the park, each positioned to minimize noise pollution and maximize accessibility. Navigating between stages was a breeze, with plenty of space for the crowds to move without feeling cramped or overwhelmed. It’s clear that careful thought went into ensuring the festival was as inclusive and enjoyable as possible for everyone, from families with young children to groups of teens and young adults.
The audience, for that matter, was one of the weekend’s most pleasant surprises. Around 35,000 people packed Sefton Park across three days, and the crowd was a perfect cross section of what Radio 1 stands for, a vibrant mix of families, teenagers, and young folk.
This kind of event has been a long time coming for Liverpool. While the city’s major music events have often skewed towards older audiences, think Pier Head concerts featuring legacy acts, there’s been a noticeable gap in large scale, contemporary music festivals for younger crowds. Indie events like Sound City and Africa Oye (which also takes over Sefton Park), have kept the flame alive, but they’ve often been too niche. Meanwhile, the free LIMF Festival struggled to find its identity and ultimately proved unsustainable, leaving a void in Liverpool’s claim to being a true “music city.”
Radio 1’s Big Weekend, then, felt like a breath of fresh air, a statement that Liverpool can still deliver world class music events for a new generation.
Saturday start; Tom Odell opened the main stage with a charming, laid-back set, his easy stage presence and warm vocals immediately drawing in the audience. The crowd, while smaller at this early hour, thanks in part to the buzz around Ed Sheeran’s surprise set at the BBC New Music Stage tent, felt more intimate and engaged to other main stage sets over the weekend.
Odell played through a selection of his piano-driven anthems, his performance feeling both effortless and heartfelt, but the highlight came when Myles Smith joined him for the closing number, “Another Love”, their voices blending beautifully and leaving the crowd on a high note.
The energy ramped up with the arrival of Sugababes, who delivered a masterclass in pop performance. Their set was packed with nostalgia and crowd-pleasing hits, but it was “Push the Button” that truly set the atmosphere alight, the crowd singing along to every word.
The trio also treated fans to their recent cover of Lorde’s “What Was That”, debuted earlier in the week on BBC’s Live Lounge, showcasing their ability to put a fresh spin on modern classics. Their stage presence was magnetic, and their harmonies flawless, proving why they remain such beloved figures in British pop, and setting the stage for their Salt & Tar show in August.
Over at the BBC New Music Stage, the vibe shifted to something wilder with Artemas. His set was a riot of energy, loud guitars, and infectious hooks. Songs like “caroline” and “dirty little secret” got the crowd jumping, but it was the viral hit “i like the way you kiss me” that really ignited the tent.
Artemas commanded the stage with a raw, unpolished charm, his performance feeling both spontaneous and electrifying. The crowd responded in kind, turning the tent into a sweaty, joyous singalong.
Back on the main stage, Blossoms brought their signature velvety blend of indie rock and synth-pop to Liverpool, a city that feels like a second home to the band. Frontman Tom Ogden reminisced about their early days playing venues like The Shipping Forecast in 2014, and their VEVO show where Everton’s stadium now stands.
Their set was tight, melodic, and packed with singalong moments, the crowd swaying and singing along to every word. Blossoms have grown into festival favourites, and their performance at Sefton Park only confirmed their status as one of the country’s most reliable live acts.
Closing out our Saturday night, Wolf Alice took to the main stage with a set that was both powerful and emotionally charged. Fresh into their new era, the band opened with “Bloom Baby Bloom”, a soaring new single that hints at the promise of their forthcoming album, The Clearing.
Though it’s early days for the new material, Wolf Alice wisely leaned into their back catalogue, delivering electrifying versions of fan favourites like “Bros”, “Silk”, and “Formidable Cool”. The set culminated with the anthemic “Don’t Delete the Kisses”, a perfect closer that left the crowd buzzing and eager for more. With their arena tour on the horizon, Wolf Alice proved once again why they’re one of the most exciting bands in the world right now.
Sunday opened with a bang as the one and only Tate McRae took the stage, delivering a rare festival performance amid her wildly successful Miss Possessive arena tour. Fresh off a sell-out show at Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester the night before, Tate brought arena-sized energy to Sefton Park.
She kicked things off with “Sports Car”, her dynamic presence and sharp choreography captivating the crowd from the first note. Her set was a masterclass in modern pop performance, and she closed with the irresistible hit “Greedy”, leaving the audience buzzing and eager for more.
Following Tate McRae, one of the UK’s hottest young talents, Lola Young, stepped into the spotlight. Excited and visibly nervous, Young quickly found her footing and delivered a set that showcased her raw talent and undeniable star quality. While her new single might not have translated as convincingly live as on record, the rest of her performance was electric. The crowd really came alive for “Messy”, and by the end of her set, it was clear that Lola Young is a star in the making, lighting up Sefton Park with her infectious energy.
Next up, Jorja Smith brought her signature blend of soulful vocals and effortless cool to the stage.
A seasoned performer with Big Weekend experience, Jorja Smith is an artist who always delivers, sounding fresh and contemporary. Her set was smooth and polished, a perfect fit for the festival atmosphere, and a reminder of why she remains one of the most respected voices in British music.
Wet Leg then took the stage, marking the start of their bold new era. Much like Wolf Alice the night before, Wet Leg have evolved into something louder, more expressive, and visually provocative. Their performance felt almost possessed, the duo playing with a wild energy that’s impossible to ignore.
Unfortunately, a late start meant their set felt more like a whirlwind than a mainstay, but in just eight songs, they managed to pack in modern classics like “Wet Dream”, “Chaise Longue”, “Angelica”, and their brilliant opener, “catch these fists”. Wet Leg proved once again that they’re one of the most exciting acts around.
As the rain began to pour, more heavily than at any point over the weekend, HAIM made their way onto the stage, and what followed was nothing short of electric. The trio’s set was packed with energy, fun, and impeccable musicianship. Their crowd work was a highlight, with Alana Haim joking about siblings, playfully attempting to stop the rain, and then embracing the downpour along with the adoring crowd at Sefton Park. HAIM were the act that should have headlined all along, their performance a perfect blend of warmth, humour, and pure musical talent.
For us, HAIM were the closers, and they could easily have headlined any day of the festival. Their set was a triumphant end to a terrific weekend, and it’s clear that Liverpool would welcome them back with open arms. For now, their upcoming arena tour in October is sure to be something special.
Radio 1’s Big Weekend was, by our count, a terrific success. If only it could return to Liverpool next year, or if the city could host a series of Sefton Park shows like those in smaller places such as Scarborough and Lytham, with fresh acts like those on Radio 1, not just legacy acts. The weekend proved that Liverpool is more than ready for a new era of music festivals.
Words by Jack Cinnamond. Photography courtesy of BBC.
Editor’s Note: Sounds From Nowhere was accredited for coverage on Saturday and Sunday only, foregoing Friday due to prior commitments elsewhere.
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