PHOTOS: BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025

Just a short walk from Soundboard HQ is Sefton Park, the largest public park in Liverpool and the home of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend for 2025. It’s an event that moves around the UK each year, setting up a full festival experience with genuine A-list performers in an area of the country that typically doesn’t get a shout for that sort of thing. And so, 2025 sees it settle in Liverpool, with main stage openers The Wombats operating as the perfect coalescence of variables—hometown heroes, radio-ready faves, and purveyors of the sort of indie that, in environments like this, is the easiest sell in the world.

That’s only further compounded later in the evening by Biffy Clyro and their grand return. Other than a small Glasgow gig a couple of nights before, there’s effectively been radio silence, though it’s no surprise to see them on such fine form. Towering alt-rock anthems built for the festival stage is an unshakable forte at this stage, and it’s wonderful to have them back to business of usual. For a more singular brand of anthem, however, Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten is still enjoying its current wind of success as the first huge moment of the weekend. Still, it’s not all she’s got, between a refined arsenal of covers and a rock-solid grasp on alt-pop showmanship. Meanwhile, in the New Music tent, Katy B capitalises on nearly two decades at the top of her game in house and UK garage.

That just leaves Tom Grennan to cap off Friday, armed with his swathes of pop-soul hits, high-energy collaborations, and an array of guests that make events like this feel so special. Ella Henderson and KSI stop by to reprise their roles on their individual collaborations, but bringing on The Zutons to roll through Valerie and Mel C as a representing local legend—well, local enough—are wholly indicative of those big ‘I was there’ moments. So, for the first time of the weekend, our own Liverpool legend Maryleen headed out to catch the action.

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The Wombats

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Natasha Bedingfield

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Katy B

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Biffy Clyro

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Tom Grennan

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Saturday kicks off with a very last minute addition—some singer-songwriter called Ed Sheeran has rocked up and decided he wants to play. In all seriousness, it’s a big deal, the kind of surprise guest slot whose magnitude is really only accessible to an entity like the BBC. The New Music tent is packed for him and then some, to the point where security are having to turn people away because there’s simply no room in the surrounding area. And while the set itself is great—utterly ubiquitous hits crafted live by Sheeran and his loops—the idea of Ed Sheeran being drafted in for an early-afternoon secret slot is the kind of thing that sticks for a long time.

He’s not the only soloist on site today, mind. Tom Odell might have to weather an unfortunate clash with today’s guest of honour, but the infinite momentum that Another Love has racked up in the British pop canon ensures nothing is wasted. Myles Smith isn’t far behind, either, with both Stargazing and Nice To Meet You being among the current biggest songs in the world, buoyed by an affability that makes them shine all the more. Today’s dominating force, however, is indie, in no small part due to the new era of Wolf Alice that has them return in a huge way. As for Blossoms and Inhaler, they’re far more entrenched and evergreen these days, but their immense popularity goes without saying. There’s also the Sugababes, the clear outlier among everything else, but that only helps them stand out more as one of the most enduring girl groups in the UK, with an arsenal of hits to boot.

Finally, to close things out—and serendipitously bridge the gap between those two main themes—is Sam Fender, the people’s champ and the go-to for a stellar closing bash. This year’s People Watching is by far his best album to date, and having that augment his existing slew of working-class rock anthems absolutely rings out loud and proud. Once again, Maryleen was down in the park to catch it all.

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Ed Sheeran

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Tom Odell

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Sugababes

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Myles Smith

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Blossoms

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Inhaler

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Wolf Alice

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Sam Fender

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It’s the final day of Big Weekend, and it’s one for the girlies…and Mumford & Sons, apparently. It goes without saying that they aren’t a flush fit whatsoever on a bill dominated by women, but the tried-and-true nature of a festival headliner speaks for itself. They’re a sweeping, all-encompassing brand unto themselves now, and to many, a timeless folk-rock stomp is the ideal way to end a weekend like this, regardless of what’s come before.

But when the female talent on offer in the mainstream space is fit to burst, it definitely needs to be highlighted. JADE is the big one, with this being her proper debut solo performance, proving that a star-making musical life outside of Little Mix is a dead cert. Already firmly on the up is Tate McRae, who takes to the Main Stage with her legion of backup dancers and collection of noughties pop throwbacks. Later on, Lola Young proves that her prowess runs far, far deeper than her big hit Messy, and Jorja Smith’s reign at the top of UK R&B continues to go untested.

Last of all is the alternative side of things, spearheaded by HAIM making their grand return, readying a brand new album, and rolling out their bevy of faves that still sound as fresh as they did on day one. Similarly, Wet Leg’s run-up to their new album proves suitably rock-solid, while Self Esteem continues to leap from strength to strength, fresh off the release of A Complicated Woman and its fairly indisputable evidence for Rebecca Lucy Taylor being at the precipice of British alt-pop. Finally, there’s South Arcade, unquestionably the act with the most growth ahead of them, but already packing a millennial pop-rock punch with almost endless miles ahead of it. For the final time, Maryleen was down at the front for it all.

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Tate McRae

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South Arcade

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Lola Young

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Jorja Smith

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Wet Leg

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Self Esteem

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HAIM

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JADE

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Mumford & Sons

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Photos by Maryleen (Instagram / Website)

Catch all the action from Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool across BBC TV, radio and online.