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Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I was at Radio 1's Big Weekend – one star was iconic as another left fuming'
It's one of the best weekends of the year for a music lover and journalist. BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend hit Liverpool over the weekend, and they didn't hold back. Some of the biggest names in music headed to Sefton Park to put on unmissable performances throughout the weekend, including JADE (Thirlwall), Sam Fender, Tom Grennan, Lola Young and even a surprise guest. And it couldn't have been a more perfect weekend, okay, we had a bit of rain (and a lot of wind), but the sun was shining and I'm currently more red than Anfield Stadium, but it was so worth it. So what was it really like? In the words of Liam Gallagher – biblical. Friday was a quiet start to the weekend, but it still delivered everything and more. I got there just in time to see Natasha Bedingfield perform, which I had been so excited for and can honestly say I felt like I was reliving my childhood again which was incredible. But the highlight for me on Friday was, of course, Tom Grennan. I've spoken about this countless times this weekend, but three years ago, I saw Tom play on the Future Sounds Stage at Big Weekend in Coventry. Now, three years later and over one billion UK streams later, he was headlining the Main Stage. He's one of those rare musicians who still appreciates every bit of success he gets and puts on an incredible show – and he did just that. I knew there would be something special coming during Tom's set, but I hadn't anticipated just how phenomenal it would be. Not only did he bring out Ella Henderson for their track, but he also brought out Melanie C to perform When You're Gone together. Although they were wearing Everton and Liverpool shirts, which I'll let them off with, the response was incredible from the crowd. Melanie is obviously a Scouse icon and one-fifth of the world's biggest girlband, which saw the whole crowd erupt into cheers. He was also joined by The Zutons to sing their 2006 hit, Valerie, which to me was the best. Between the music, I got to hang out in the BBC Guest Area, which allowed me to use a private bar, grab food without waiting in huge queues and most importantly, clean toilets. A must at a festival, given how many people use the main arena ones. It was here I bumped into Radio 1 star Conor Knight, who was overjoyed at being at the event. Conor is a regular on the network and has covered Radio 1 weekend breakfast and also the mid-morning show over Christmas – there's no denying he's one of the best at the station. Saturday, though – no words, apart from out of this world. Ed Sheeran had just been announced as the surprise special guest on the Radio 1 New Music Stage. I thought my days of sprinting across fields were over, but no, off I ran for my life to try and get into the stage. He was only scheduled for 45 minutes, but those 45 minutes were heavenly. Hearing tracks such as Perfect, Shape of You, The A Team and Bad Habits certainly kicked off the day in the best way. The tent was at full capacity with 5,000 people eager to see Ed perform. It proved just how talented he is as well. Just one man, a guitar and a loop pedal yet had the crowd in the palm of his hand. Although myself and 5,000 other people were happy, apparently Tom Odell wasn't best pleased and I can see why. Tom was performing on the Main Stage at the same time, and on my way out of Ed, I saw the crowd... It wasn't as packed as Tom probably would have liked. But who can really compete with Ed Sheeran? Now, one act who set the Main Stage alight... Sugababes. I've seen them several times and even worked with them (goals – Kiesha revealed to me they were playing Glastonbury last year). There's no denying they're the best female vocal group to come out of the UK, and I'll take that to my grave. Their set attracted one of the biggest crowds of the weekend, performing hits including About You Now, Round Round, Overload and Freak Like Me. It was the vibe we all needed in the sun and it was clear to see how much it meant to Keisha, Siobhán and Mutya. I also caught up with Siobhan backstage and she's the kindest soul you could ever meet, not to mention we both twinned with Vivienne Westwood glasses. But I needed to warm up before King Sam Fender headlined so off I went back to the Guest Area to make the most of the bar. This is where all the famous faces were hanging out conserving their energy for the weekend. One word for Sam in-sane. I can't think of another word. Like Tom Grennan, I've followed him from the start of his career, watched him play one of his first festivals, saw him headline his first (Tramlines), and he was also on the Future Sounds Stage three years ago. There's something about Sam's sets that captivates the audience. Around 100,000 were expected to attend, and somehow I got close to the front with a group of friends. Sam's set went off with a bang. It was just utterly brilliant. Famous faces were scattered around the crowd, and nobody was bothering them because we were all too focused on enjoying the Geordie King. Obviously, he had to open with Getting Started, I feel like that's a given with Sam. He delivered his best hits, such as Will We Talk?, People Watching, Seventeen Going Under before closing with Hypersonic Missiles. I refused to leave early and trying to get out with the whole crowd proved to be quite interesting. We left at 10pm, and although I live an hour away from Liverpool, I didn't get home until after midnight because of how many people were trying to get cabs and Ubers from Sefton Park. Sunday proved to be yet another incredible day with the likes of JADE, Lola Young, HAIM and Wet Leg performing. I wasn't too fussed on the majority of the line-up for Sunday, but I left the comfort of the backstage tent, which had been sheltering us and headed out into the rain to see HAIM with friends, and I wasn't disappointed. I'd never heard their music, but I was impressed and will definitely listen to them now. And around came the moment I'd been waiting all day for. Jade. I'd followed her since the early days of Rhythmix (if you know, you know) and recently saw her perform at the BRIT Awards, so I knew I was in for a treat. Since venturing out as a solo artist, Jade hasn't shied away from pushing the boundaries and experimenting with her sound. It's working, there's no denying that. Now, I completely understand that she's classed as a "new artist" given she's just gone solo, but she shouldn't have been on the New Music stage. She deserved the Main Stage headline slot. Belting out hits like FUFN (clean version), IT Girl, Midnight Cowboy and her debut single Angel of My Dreams (which by the way, INCREDIBLE), she also delivered a mix of Little Mix hits including Wasabi, Shout Out To My Ex and Sweet Melody, as well as a cover of N-Trance's 1995 anthem, Trance. It was her first-ever solo festival performance, and she drew in one of the biggest crowds. The tent had a maximum capacity of 5,000, and it was filled, with more people standing outside in the rain watching her perform. I can't describe the energy because it was so unique but it's clear to see that Jade has cemented herself as the one to watch in the industry and is a true force to be reckoned with. I didn't catch the Main Stage headline act, Mumford and Sons, because I left as soon as Jade finished – as did thousands of others. It would have been hard for any artist to top Jade's set so I feel like it was probably the best decision to leave while still buzzing (and singing, much to the dismay of my friends...)
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Chart topping star left fuming over Ed Sheeran's Radio 1 Big Weekend performance
Music fans were thrilled when Ed Sheeran made an unscheduled appearance at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend festival over the weekend - but a fellow music star had good reason to be less impressed Fans were delighted by Ed Sheeran's secret set at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool on Saturday. But there was one person who was a bit miffed over the unexpected appearance. I hear Tom Odell wasn't best pleased about the Shape of You star's surprise performance. Starting his set at 1.30pm on the Main Stage, Ed's appearance at 1.15pm on the New Music stage drew the crowds to him - and it didn't go unnoticed by Tom. 'Tom was expecting a big crowd for his performance but when Ed's show was announced everyone flocked to his tent and he wasn't happy,' said one source. Despite the mishap, the Big Weekend festival has been a hit for music fans - as other stars have unexpectedly appeared on stage. On Friday, Little Bit of Love singer Tom Grennan drove the crowds wild when he invited Spice Girls icon Mel C to join him on stage where they performed a duet of her song, When You're Gone. Tom said after his set on the Main Stage at Sefton Park: 'Mel is a good mate of mine, but she's a Scouse legend too so it just felt the perfect chance to do something a bit special together - thankfully she was up for it! "The whole event was just a brilliant experience and getting a few mates out on stage to join me really gave it an extra bit of something on top, but doing something marking the memory of the Hillsborough victims just felt right. 'Mel is such a supporter of that cause too, she really understands what it means to local people and has been involved with raising money for the support group over the years.' Wearing a retro Everton shirt while Mel wore a 90s Liverpool kit, the pair talked movingly about 'uniting the city' with Tom later adding: 'It's a special city with an amazing history, and obviously an incredible sporting rivalry, so hopefully we managed to get the tone just right. 'There were a few bantery boos from the Everton fans when Mel came out in the retro Liverpool kit, so I ran backstage and changed into an old Everton one to redress the balance, it seemed to go down well. 'Hopefully people had a great time as well as taking a second to remember the 97 people who lost their lives as a result of the Hillsborough disaster.' Tom was also joined by local rockers The Zutons, YouTuber KSI and pal Ella Henderson. Saturday's line-up saw Sam Fender, Sugababes, Myles Smith and Blossoms take to the stage on the Main Stage. And Canadian pop babe Tate McRae, American singing sisters HAIM, and British country group Mumford & Sons were among performers taking to the Main Stage on Sunday. The Mirror also caught up with The Saturdays star Mollie King at the music event - with the star appearing days after her triumphant return to the air following her most recent maternity leave. 'It's so good to be back,' she told me - and said she was made up to be reunited with co-host Matt Edmonson. 'I've missed this guy. He was the first person to visit and meet the little one.' The Saturdays star welcomed her second daughter, Lilliana, with cricketer Stuart Broad last December.
