Greg James called Radio 1 Big Weekend’s line-up the ‘one of the strongest we’ve ever had’ – but fans have been left divided with many not knowing any of the artists at all.
The festival will be headlined by Coldplay and features more performances including Becky Hill, Raye, Chase & Status, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and many more.
The iconic music event runs from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 May in the stunning Stockwood Park in Luton.
‘Genuinely, I’ve done a load of these, and I always think ‘how is the next one going to be better’ and they just are,’ Greg, 38, told BBC.
‘With some of those big American artists, with Coldplay on the Sunday, Raye on the Saturday, she’s had the most amazing year, Chase & Status on the Friday… I do think it’s our strongest line up for many many years.’
BBC Breakfast presenter Greg James (pictured) called Radio 1 Big Weekend’s line-up the ‘one of the strongest we’ve ever had’ – but fans were left divided with many not knowing some of the artists at all
The festival will be headlined by Coldplay and features more performances including Becky Hill (pictured), Raye, Chase & Status, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and many more
Greg, who has been broadcasting his BBC Radio 1 breakfast programme from the festival site for the last week, appeared very thrilled about the line-up, but other fans were not of the same opinion.
Following the official line-up announcement on X – formerly Twitter – fans rushed to comment on the update, but many were left perplexed and raised they had no clue who some of the artists were.
‘Anyone else not heard of any of these ? #ItsAnAgeThing!’; ‘Who on earth are they?’;
Other fans seemed to recognise some artists but yet were left very unimpressed with the line-up choice.
‘Boring’; ‘You know your getting old when you only know two or three of the bands or artists’; ‘Jesus christ i might just for tame impala every other act is a joke’.
Earlier on Friday, Becky Hill looked incredible as she joined fellow singer Mollie King at the star-studded opening day of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend on Friday.
The Disconnect hitmaker, 30, took to the stage in Luton with a vibrant performance, boosting her toned physique in a tiny black bra with chain straps.
She teamed the all-black ensemble with a pair of cut-out leather trousers which enhanced her flat midriff.
Greg, 38, told BBC: ‘With some of those big American artists, with Coldplay on the Sunday, Raye on the Saturday, she’s had the most amazing year, Chase & Status on the Friday… I do think it’s our strongest line up for many many years’
Following the official line-up announcement on X – formerly Twitter – fans rushed to comment on the update, but many were left perplexed and raised they had no clue who some of the artists were
Other fans seemed to recognise some artists but yet were left very unimpressed with the line-up choice
Earlier on Friday, Becky Hill looked incredible during her stellar performance as she took to the stage for the first day of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Luton
The hitmaker was joined by Radio 1 presenter Mollie King, who beamed as she got behind the DJ decks at the festival
Becky took to the stage with a vibrant performance, showcasing her toned abs in a black bralet
The dance icon gave an edgy touch with a crop black leather jacket, which she later ditched to move more freely for her act.
Becky, who sported her strawberry blonde locks straight, appeared in her element while on stage – delighting fans in attendance with some of her most famous bangers.
The Crazy What Love Can Do singer looked over the moon, beaming graciously to the crowd.
Elsewhere The Saturdays star Mollie, 36, couldn’t wipe a smile off from her face as she performed on the BBC Radio stage in Luton’s Stockwood Park.
The pop star appeared in her highest spirits waving to the crowd with a cheerful smile, looking effortlessly chic with a denim jacket.
She added a grey stone top underneath, and was joined by Award-nominated radio presenter Matt Edmondson.
The pair seemed to be getting along well and were captured giggling and laughing.
Mollie seemed amazed by the crowd’s warm welcome and took plenty of videos and pictures from her phone, and even flashed a heart-shape with her hands.
Elsewhere The Saturdays star Mollie, 36, couldn’t wipe a smile off from her face as she performed on the BBC Radio stage in Luton’s Stockwood Park
The pop star appeared in her highest spirits waving to the crowd with a cheerful smile during her appearance with co-host Matt Edmondson
She looked effortlessly chic with a denim jacket
She was joined by Award-nominated radio presenter Matt Edmondson
Meanwhile Coldplay, who will also headline Glastonbury for the fifth time next month, will perform on the Main Stage.
This summer could be their swansong after lead singer Chris Martin confirmed the band’s next album will be their last.
Sabrina Carpenter, who has been touring with Taylor Swift, will join Teddy Swims and Vampire Weekend at the festival in Luton on the Sunday.
Coldplay said: ‘We wouldn’t be anywhere without Radio 1 and we’re super excited to come to Luton this year and play Big Weekend.’
Also performing on the Main Stage is Olly Alexander and Declan McKenna, while on the New Music Stage, beabadoobee will headline.
CMAT, Everything Everything, FIZZ, Olivia Dean and Sea Girls will also hit the Pyramid stage.
In March, Radio 1 announced Raye will join Rag‘n’Bone Man and Aitch on the Main Stage at Stockwood Park, where over 100,000 music fans are expected to attend.
Meanwhile, Charli XCX will take to the Radio 1 New Music Stage alongside Alfie Templeman and Cat Burns.
Following the announcement, Greg James said: ‘It’s set to be one of our very best Big Weekends ever.
‘The line-up is a celebration of some of the biggest artists we’ve supported for years alongside the most exciting new ones on the planet. It’s my favourite line-up for years!’
He added: ‘I can’t wait to see 100,000 people turn up to Stockwood Park to experience the full Radio 1 circus – hosted by your favourite clowns (The DJs).’
Ella Henderson also appeared on the Main Stage during the opening day of the annual festival, while Diplo and Eric Prydz will take over the Radio 1 New Music Stage.
Musicians will be spread across multiple stages, including Radio 1’s Future Sounds, Radio 1 Dance and BBC Introducing, with the full line-up set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Speaking of their inclusion, Chase & Status said: ‘Always a big moment for us to play for Radio 1 at Big Weekend, especially this year, to be bringing our full live show to the Main Stage alongside so many other huge acts.’
As with previous Big Weekends, tickets will be geographically weighted with an element of preference given to local residents.
40 percent of tickets will be reserved for those living in Luton; 30 percent of tickets will be reserved for those living in the surrounding areas; whilst the remaining 30 percent of tickets will be available for the rest of the UK.
Radio 1’s Big Weekend kicks off the UK’s festival season by bringing some of the biggest UK and international artists to cities that may not otherwise host such a large scale event, shining a light on the local area and providing a major boost to the local economy.
Coldplay will headline Radio 1’s Big Weekend with the band heading to the Main Stage on Sunday 26 May
Sabrina Carpenter, who has been touring with Taylor Swift, will join Teddy Swims and Vampire Weekend at the festival in Luton on the Sunday
Vampire Weekend will play on the Sunday at the festival in Luton
RAYE will also be performing
The singer will be joined by and Rag’n’Bone Man (pictured) who will also perform on the main stage at Stockwood Park, where over 100,000 music fans are expected to attend
There is always a huge demand for tickets, with the festival selling out within minutes every year.
This year, the BBC is working closely with Luton Council to ensure that Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2024 is a safe and secure environment for all those attending the festival.
BBC Radio 1 will broadcast live from the festival site across the weekend, with performances and tracks available live and on demand across Radio 1’s iPlayer channel and BBC Sounds.