Radio 1 Big Weekend: Olivia Dean to headline final day as Sunderland prepares for a three-day surge
The radio 1 big weekend will descend on Herrington Country Park for three days of music and local activity, with Olivia Dean set to close the festival’s final day alongside Niall Horan and Kehlani. The announcement unfolded against a backdrop of expectations about audiences, local benefits and a packed programme that stretches from dance DJs to emerging stages.
Radio 1 Big Weekend line-up and schedule
The festival is booked to run from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 May in Herrington Country Park. Friday’s dance-focused opening will be led by Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera. Saturday’s main stage will feature Zara Larsson, Louis Tomlinson and Lola Young alongside acts such as Nothing But Thieves, Skye Newman, Ellie Goulding, James Blake, Mitski and Rachel Chinouriri. Sunday’s headliners include Olivia Dean, Niall Horan and Kehlani, with CMAT, Myles Smith, Ezra Collective, Flo and Jorja Smith appearing on stages showcasing new and established artists.
Olivia Dean’s slot will be her first UK headline set. Her recent awards and international recognition were noted when the line-up was released. Niall Horan is scheduled to release a new single later this month and will perform at the festival amid his ongoing solo activity. Louis Tomlinson will appear between European and North American tour dates. Lola Young returns to the stage after a recent break from performing.
Why Sunderland — voices and impact
Local leaders are presenting the festival as a moment to boost the city’s cultural profile and economy. Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We can’t wait to welcome Radio 1 Big Weekend and to our city. It’s going to be an incredibly exciting three days, with everyone from the biggest names in music to new and emerging artists heading to Sunderland for what promises to be an unforgettable start to the festival season. Hosting this flagship event is a fantastic opportunity to build on our growing reputation as an events city, our vibrant music scene and our Music City status. It will also shine a light on all the wonderful things about Sunderland and our wider region. It’s brilliant for our young people who will have the chance to see some of the biggest artists in the world heading to their home city, as well as taking the opportunity to get involved in everything going on around the festival. The Big Weekend will also provide a multi-million pound boost to our economy, with around 100, 000 fans expected to attend over the weekend and increased visitor numbers and spend in our local restaurants, cafes, hotels and bars, at the same time as creating a real buzz in our city. “
City officials and regional partners are coordinating logistics and programming, with the North East Combined Authority and the North East Mayor’s Office supporting funding and fringe activities intended to widen reach beyond the festival footprint. Local organisers have emphasised opportunities for young people and for homegrown performers to appear on prominent stages.
Tickets, access and what to expect next
Organisers expect tens of thousands of fans over the three-day event, with roughly 100 acts across the site. A portion of general admission tickets has been reserved for local residents: 30% of the 31, 000 general admission tickets for each day are set aside for Sunderland residents, 60% for the wider North East Combined Authority area, and the remaining 10% available nationally. Published prices for general sale days list standard admission and a VIP option.
Programming balances headline draws with platforms for rising artists and genre diversity: headline pop and R& B acts sit alongside jazz, electronic and new-music stages. Festival organisers have highlighted efforts to ensure the event acts as both an economic injection and a showcase for the region’s music infrastructure, with investment in small venues and music development intended to leave a lasting legacy.
As ticketing moves toward public sale for weekend days and local priorities are confirmed, the city and event teams are preparing welcoming and operational plans that aim to turn the three days in Herrington Country Park into a wider moment for Sunderland’s cultural calendar.
Back in Herrington Country Park, volunteers finish laying out routes and temporary staging, food vendors check deliveries and a scattering of rehearsal soundchecks hint at the coming surge. For many residents and young musicians, the radio 1 big weekend will be more than a bill of stars — it will be a chance to measure how a city’s long-term investment in music and events translates into jobs, audiences and opportunity.
