The first wave of artists confirmed for this year’s BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend have been confirmed, with Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera set to headline.
The next instalment of the festival will be held in Sunderland at the Herrington Country Park, and will run between Friday May 22 and Sunday May 24.
The festival is the station’s flagship live music event, and helps bring some of the biggest names in music to parts of the country that may not otherwise host such large-scale shows. In the past it has seen Lana Del Rey head to Hull, Taylor Swift perform in Norwich, Ed Sheeran take the stage in Coventry and more.
In 2026, approximately 100 artists will take to the stages, and the event will welcome roughly 80,000 music fans.
Today (Friday March 6), the first wave of artists have been confirmed, with Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera confirmed as headliners for Friday May 22.
The world-famous DJs will be joined on the bill by NME 100 star Clementine Douglas, German DJ and singer horsegiirL, Australian music producer FISHER, DJ Arielle Free, and more.
NOTION, MK, Ewan McVicar, L.P. Rhythm, Sarah Story, Danny Howard, and Charlie Hedges complete the first wave of names, and there will also be a b2b DJ set with Ahadadream and Arthi.
More names will be announced on Monday (March 9) on BBC Radio 1, and tickets are on sale now – get yours here.
As with previous Big Weekends, tickets will be geographically structured to give a preference to local residents. Of all the tickets, 30 per cent will be reserved for those living in Sunderland, 60 per cent will be reserved for those living in the surrounding NECA region, and the remaining 10 per cent of tickets will be available for the rest of the UK.
The 2026 edition will also see the BBC working closely with Sunderland City Council to ensure that the Big Weekend is a safe and secure environment for all attending.
Last year’s instalment was held at Liverpool’s Sefton Park from Friday May 23 to Sunday May 25, and saw performances from Sam Fender, Blossoms, Lola Young, Wet Leg, BRITs Rising Star 2025 winner Myles Smith, Tom Grennan, Biffy Clyro, Confidence Man, Barry Can’t Swim, Nia Archives, Katy B, The Wombats and more.
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