Here’s what happened as the Radio 1 DJs headed to Liverpool for this year’s Big Weekend.
☀️ Morning hype: Breakfast from Liverpool
Greg James kicked things off with a special live edition of Radio 1 Breakfast, beaming sunshine, silliness, and karaoke-fuelled pub stories from the night before. With the whole Radio 1 team now in Liverpool, the buzz was real before gates even opened.
😂 Funniest bits from the Friday morning show
Karaoke chaos at Dirty Nelly’s
The team crashed a quiet pub and turned it into a rowdy singalong. Danny O’Donnell, a solo guitarist playing to four people, suddenly had a crowd belting out Queen and Robbie Williams. Producer Tom even tried to book him for the Big Weekend main stage.
“Scouse Coachella” is born
Listener Abby renamed Big Weekend as “Scouse Coachella” live on air and sparked a festival fashion panic. Greg joked about emergency merch and weather-proof outfits, as Abby confessed she’d packed “a tiny skirt and a sheer top” despite the grey skies.
Greg James, unhinged
From doing fake health and safety announcements to pretending Daniel Craig might show up, and warning Everton fans like quiz champ Charlie to hide during Liverpool’s title parade, Greg was full chaos from the first link.
Listeners were calling in from everywhere — truckers, students, and even a mum-to-be who was one day from her due date (a Big Weekend baby incoming?).
🎫 The final ticket drama
In a Big Weekend twist, Mina from The Traitors returned to Liverpool to hide the last pair of tickets in a city-wide showdown. Clues led two finalists to the Albert Docks… where Mina was found riding a yellow duck boat.
But the big shock? Both finalists chose to steal in the split-or-steal game, so the last pair of tickets were shredded live on air. No winners. No regrets. Peak Radio 1 chaos.
🎶 Afternoon vibes: Sunshine, surprises & screaming crowds
By mid-afternoon, Sefton Park was packed, the sun was out, and the music was on. Festival moments were coming thick and fast:
-
Ricky and Melvin kicked things off with a DJ set, then surprised the crowd by storming The Wombats’ set in full mascot costumes — unmasking themselves on stage to huge cheers.
-
The Wombats played a massive hometown set with pure singalong energy.
-
Natasha Bedingfield sent the crowd into nostalgic chaos with “Unwritten” — led by a chant of “We say Natasha, you say Bedingfield!”
-
Wolf Alice brought main stage magic, with frontwoman Ellie rocking a bedazzled megaphone and taking command of the crowd like a true festival queen.
🎤 Afternoon & evening shenanigans
Peter Andre on the New Music stage?!
In a delirious on-air brainstorm, the DJs imagined Peter Andre headlining the “new music” stage next year — already picturing confused Gen Z fans asking, “Who is this guy?”
Shirtless Biffy banter
As Biffy Clyro got ready to headline, one DJ warned: “They’ll be on the main stage with their tops off — very Liverpool.” This quickly spiralled into a dare. “Should I do it too?” one DJ asked — before wisely backing down.
Sarah Story’s mistaken identity
Sarah shared a story about being mistaken for singer Jade at a party. She didn’t correct them, so now random people have selfies thinking they met a pop star. “There’s a bunch of photos out there of me — and they think I’m Jade,” she laughed.
Dance rave in the woods
The Radio 1 Dance tent was described as “a bit naughty” and “tucked in the woods.” Danny Howard promised to rave in a vest, Sarah threatened to spray him with deodorant, and Pete Tong confessed he couldn’t find his.
Arsenal vs Tottenham… but make it musical
Pete admitted to being an Arsenal fan just after playing an AJ Tracey track — knowing full well the rapper is Spurs through and through. “I had to do it!” he said. “That banter’s going to be long tomorrow.”
🛍️ Atmosphere & extras
-
Bucket hats, cowboy boots and ponchos were the fashion staples of the day
-
A listener guestbook filled with messages from across the UK and beyond
-
Shoutouts came from Doncaster to Dorset, and even the Bahamas
-
Backstage included a ball pit, cake station, and plenty of chaos
COMMENTS