Acts announced for BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2021

The line-up for Radio 1’s Big Weekend of Live Music 2021 has been announced, with Ed Sheeran, AJ Tracey, Anne-Marie, Celeste and Royal Blood among those set to perform.

Taking place across four days for the first time in the event’s 18-year history (28 – 31 May 2021), Radio 1’s Big Weekend of Live Music 2021 will have over 100 live performances.

Around 50 of the performances will be brand new live sets recorded exclusively for Big Weekend 2021, with five to be filmed on location in front of iconic backdrops around the UK and more to be recorded in the BBC’s Radio Theatre.

Alongside the new sets, listeners will hear archive sessions such as Piano Sessions to the Live Lounge, as well as previous Big Weekend performances. The line-up includes performances from Rihanna, Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, The 1975, Sam Smith, Foals, Lizzo, Dua Lipa and many more.

Though dependent on changes to restrictions in the UK, Radio 1’s Big Weekend of Live Music will be designed for fans to enjoy with friends and family in parks, on beaches, in pub gardens or simply from the comfort of their own homes.

The Radio 1 DJ family will be doing just that, coming together in person for the first time in over a year to host the event across the weekend. Performances will be broadcast on Radio 1 with full sets available on BBC Sounds.

A selection of tracks will also be available to watch on Radio 1’s iPlayer and YouTube channels, with a curated stream on iPlayer featuring select performances and artist interviews from Saturday – Monday.

In the build-up to the event, Radio 1 will be running an outreach programme designed to give young people an introduction to working in the creative industries. Full details of the outreach programme will be unveiled soon.

Radio 1 Breakfast host Greg James says: “When we announced our Big Weekend plans earlier this year, I panicked that someone had forgotten to book any artists. Turns out they just kept it from me because they know I can’t keep a secret.

“It’s a nice surprise though because this is an incredible line-up. Hopefully it’ll be hotter than 8 degrees by then so we’ll be able to enjoy it all outside with our mates and stop dressing like we’re going on an Arctic expedition.”

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “For Radio 1’s Big Weekend this year we’re going to be bringing back what young people have been sorely missing over the past year, with four days packed full of live music to be enjoyed with friends and family.

“The new performances we have lined up are incredibly special, with the artists themselves bringing tonnes of energy and creativity, and we can’t wait to share them with our audiences across the May bank holiday.”