BBC Radio 1 has unveiled the line-up for Radio 1’s Big Weekend UK 2020, with the Jonas Brothers, Ellie Goulding, Niall Horan, amongst other big acts to join the bill.
They join the likes of Sam Smith, Biffy Clyro, Anne-Marie, Young T & Bugsey and Rita Ora, who were the first artists to be announced last week.
Every year Radio 1’s Big Weekend kicks off the UK’s festival season by bringing the biggest UK and international artists together for a weekend packed full of incredible live music.
This year’s festival will take place remotely for the first time over the May Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 22 – Sunday 24 May 2020), bringing the festival spirit to households around the country with over 50 brand new live sets recorded by artists from their own homes as well as bringing back some of the most memorable performances from previous Big Weekends.
Niall Horan says: “Can’t wait to play Radio 1’s Big Weekend!! Expect a few of your favourites and some of my new ones, I’ll try and make it as good as it can get from home. I’ve played Big Weekend a few times but this one will be very different!”
Young T & Bugsey say: “Big up Radio 1 for including us on this year’s Big Weekend lineup. It’s gonna be a special one and we’re gonna be bringing the vibes to you, wherever you are!”
The Headliner Stage will feature some of the best headline performances from past Big Weekends, including Katy Perry’s set at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Glasgow and Miley Cyrus’ stormer from Middlesbrough. The full line up for both the Headliner Stage and the 1Xtra stage will be announced next week.
Fans will be able to attend the festival from the comfort of their own homes: each stage will have its own page on BBC Sounds where listeners can catch full sets, while highlights will be made available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Tracks from all acts performing on the Radio 1 and 1Xtra stage will also be broadcast on Radio 1 and 1Xtra across the weekend. Set times for BBC Sounds will be released ahead of the event.
Festival merchandise is available to purchase now via the Radio 1 website. All profits will be donated to, and split equally between, Comic Relief and BBC Children in Need as part of The Big Night In Appeal.
All profits from sales of merchandise will be donated to two charities. Fifty percent of donations will be paid to Comic Relief which is the trading name of Charity Projects (registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 326568 and in Scotland, charity number SC039730) and 50 percent of donations will be paid to BBC Children in Need (registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 802052 and in Scotland, charity number SC039557).
The Big Night In Appeal is a joint initiative between Comic Relief and BBC Children in Need.
Each year ahead of Radio 1’s Big Weekend, the station runs an extensive outreach programme designed to give young people an introduction to working in the creative industries, and this year will be no different. A range of Q&As and workshops will be run via video conferencing and via social media, with sessions aimed at providing young people with the skills, knowledge and motivation they need to take those all-important first steps in their careers.
The outreach programme for Radio 1’s Big Weekend UK 2020 kicks off on Sunday 17 May and runs until Sunday 24 May. Highlights include How To Make a Podcast From Your Bedroom with Scarlett Moffatt and Chris Stark (Tuesday 19 May, 6pm, Instagram Live @BBCRadio1) and How To Be a Superstar DJ with Charlie Hedges and Annie Mac (Friday 22 May, 5pm, Instagram Live @BBCRadio1).