Radio 1 adds more artists to Biggest Weekend
Sam Smith, Camila Cabello, Liam Payne, Father John Misty, Neneh Cherry, Stereophonics and Strictly Come Dancing with the BBC Concert Orchestra plus more added to the line-up for BBC Music’s The Biggest Weekend.
The event is heading to Belfast, Coventry, Perth and Swansea this summer with coverage on radio, BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four plus, online and mobile the entire weekend.
Across the weekend, there will be concerts hosted by BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra & Asian Network, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 6 Music, with TV coverage on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four and sets available on BBC iPlayer, mobile and online.
Acts added to the line-up for BBC Music’s The Biggest Weekend:
- Sam Smith
- Camila Cabello
- Liam Payne
- Neneh Cherry
- Father John Misty with The Ulster Orchestra conducted by Gavin Bryars
- Strictly Come Dancing with the BBC Concert Orchestra
- Emeli Sande
- Stereophonics
- Rita Ora
- Squeeze
- 30 Seconds To Mars
- George Ezra
- Stefflon Don
- Sigrid
- Mabel
- Angelique Kidjo
- Mezcla
- Dorcha
- Namvula
Also confirmed are the artists performing on the ‘6 Music Recommends’ stage in Belfast, they are Baloji, Dream Wife, Hannah Peel, Hollie Cook, Imarhan, Jordan Rakei, The Orielles, Phoebe Bridgers, SOAK, Touts, Shame, Superorganism and a DJ set from David Holmes.
And on the Radio 2 Chris Evans’ Breakfast Show, Liam Gallagher confirmed his performance at The Biggest Weekend. He said, “I love Coventry man. Love it, can’t wait to get there and turn it up.”
Camila Cabello said, “So excited to be part of The Biggest Weekend. I can’t wait! See you in Swansea.”
Liam Payne said, “I am so excited to be playing at The Biggest Weekend – looks like it’s going to be amazing. And I’m so glad to be appearing on such a strong bill – I can’t wait to come back to Swansea!”
Sigrid said, “I can’t wait to play at The Biggest Weekend this year, and I’m so happy that Radio 1 invited us!”
Mabel said, “So excited to play The Biggest Weekend this year. The line-up is always amazing, so to be a part of it this year is an honour.”
Stefflon Don said, “Big up Radio 1…..so excited to be playing at The Biggest Weekend in Swansea – it’s guna be LITTTTT.”
Squeeze said, “It’s amazing news to be playing in Perth for the BBC on the biggest of all weekends. See you there!”
Gavin Bryars talking about how he started working with Father John Misty, said: “He got in touch through a friend of mine, a great Irish singer Iarla Ó Lionáird who sings with The Gloaming. He knew my work and asked if I’d consider doing something with him. He asked if I’d arrange one track [for strings] from the new album called Pure Comedy and the track was called Leaving LA and then he asked me to do the title track, Pure Comedy.”
The four locations hosting The Biggest Weekend in May are:
Titanic Slipways, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Friday 25 May – 6 Music
Saturday 26 May – 6 Music
Performances from Beck, Orbital, Manic Street Preachers, Franz Ferdinand, Neneh Cherry, Father John Misty with the Ulster Orchestra, Goldie (Live), Breeders, First Aid Kit, Ash, Young Fathers, Courtney Barnett, Public Service Broadcasting, Little Dragon plus more to be announced.
Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland
Friday 25 May – Radio 3
Saturday 26 May – Radio 2
Performances from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Emeli Sande, Squeeze, Simple Minds, The Shires, Nigel Kennedy with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Amy McDonald, Eddi Reader and Band, The Beat starring Dave Wakeling, Julie Fowlis, Jamie Cullum, Evelyn Glennie, Danielle de Niese, Scottish Jazz Orchestra directed by Tommy Smith, Namvula and Mezcla plus more to be announced.
War Memorial Park, Coventry, England
Sunday 27 May – Radio 2
Monday 28 May – Radio 3
Performances from Liam Gallagher, Stereophonics, Paloma Faith, Billy Ocean, Snow Patrol, Nigel Kennedy with the BBC Concert Orchestra, UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey, Jamie Cullum, Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, Go Go Penguin, Miloš and Strictly Come Dancing with the BBC Concert Orchestra featuring professional dancers Gorka Marquez, Amy Dowden, AJ Pritchard and Chloe Hewitt, plus more to be announced.
Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales
Saturday 26 May – Radio 1, 1Xtra & Asian Network
Sunday 27 May – Radio 1, 1Xtra & Asian Network
Performances from Sam Smith, Camila Cabello, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Liam Payne, Rita Ora, 30 Seconds To Mars, Niall Horan, Jess Glynne, J Hus, Craig David, Years & Years, Wolf Alice, James Bay, George Ezra, Stefflon Don, Sigrid, Mabel plus more to be announced.
Also part of The Biggest Weekend, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3 and 6 Music will work with BBC Nations TV and Radio, as well as local radio stations, forging partnerships to put on a comprehensive range of outreach activity in the lead up to the festival including educational workshops, Q&As, Radio 1’s Academy, Ten Pieces Assemblies and BBC Music Introducing gigs showcasing local talent in each host location.