BBC Radio 2 Live will take place in Leeds for 2022 over two days

Radio 2 Live is moving from London to Leeds this year and will take place over two days instead of the usual one.

The new venue is Temple Newsam Park in Leeds on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September, as revealed on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show this morning.

Alongside the main stage, for the first time there will be a Radio 2 DJ Tent where the presenters will be playing classic tracks from Motown in the 60s to the present day.

Radio 2 Live will be broadcast on the network and be available live and on demand on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.

Jeff Smith, Head of Music for Radio 2, said: “Following our month of brilliant Piano Room performances in February, we’re thrilled that Radio 2 Live will be held in Leeds, one of the great cities of the North.

“Live music is at the heart of the station so we can’t wait for us all to gather at Temple Newsam for two days of brilliant music, bringing everyone together to feel great!”

Zoe Ball, who is back on Breakfast this morning, said: “It’s official! The news is OUT and I can tell you the whole Radio 2 family can’t wait to be in LEEDS this year for R2 Live.

“We are ready for two days of dancing and singing along with our fabulous listeners and some brilliant live acts. Personally, I’m giddy to get my groove on in the Radio 2 DJ Tent!”

In the years prior to the pandemic, Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park in London featured some of music’s biggest stars including Kylie, Elton John, Pet Shop Boys, Take That, Blondie, Lenny Kravitz, Shania Twain, Rita Ora, and Jeff Lynne’s ELO, who in 2014 played their first full live gig in 27 years.

The artist line-up and ticket on-sale date will be announced in June.