Despite a few early rain showers, the sun eventually shone over Singleton Park for BBC Big Weekend, creating the perfect festival atmosphere. The crowd of around 26,000 people gathered for a day of unforgettable performances.
Ed Sheeran kicked off the festival in an early slot, tasked with warming up the crowd. “Thank you so much for turning up so early,” he told the audience, admitting, “A part of me thought no one would be here.” Despite this, Ed had the audience hooked from the start. Armed with just his guitar and signature loop pedal, he had festival-goers singing along to hits like Castle on the Hill, Bloodstream, and his breakout single The A Team.
Sheeran’s role as a warm-up act felt unusual, considering he was scheduled to play four nights at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium that same weekend. Nevertheless, his energetic set left the crowd buzzing.
Following Ed was Anne-Marie, who is currently supporting him on his stadium tour. Her performance kept the energy high, and she wowed the crowd with her powerful vocals and charisma.
Later in the day, Isaac Gracie took to the BBC Introducing stage. Despite a few technical issues, he managed to draw one of the biggest crowds the stage had seen, playing tracks from his self-titled album.
Years & Years delivered a visually captivating set, with frontman Olly Alexander sporting multiple costume changes, including a leotard reminiscent of Freddie Mercury. Their performance was filled with dynamic, interpretive dance movements, keeping the audience entranced from start to finish.
The night concluded with a flawless performance from Sam Smith. A runway had been added to the stage, allowing Sam to get closer to his fans. His powerful vocals and heartfelt renditions of his biggest hits provided the perfect ending to an incredible day of music.
