BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend Heads To L'Derry

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend will return in May, heading to L'Derry and for the first time will be extended to three days.

The extravaganza will kick off on Friday 24 May, where there will be a day focused on dance music and BBC Radio 1Xtra plus the usual two huge days of big name acts and fresh new music on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May.

As announced on The Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw this morning live from L'Derry, Two Door Cinema Club and Olly Murs are the first named guests for 2013's Radio 1’s Big Weekend. Headline artists and full line-up will be announced live on Radio 1 in the coming months.

The UK's biggest free ticketed event is in its 10th year and will be returning to Northern Ireland after the previous visit in April 2004 to coincide with Derry~Londonderry being the UK City of Culture for 2013. Radio 1's Big Weekend will be held at in the heart of the city this year and performances will span across two stages - The Main Stage and In New Music We Trust stage.

In the lead up to the main event, Radio 1 and BBC Learning will also embark on a special week of local engagement and outreach activity in the area - opening the doors to Radio 1 & 1Xtra's Academy from Monday 13 to Friday 17 May 2013. During the week, young people in Derry will be invited to attend the academy and take part in a series of workshops and sessions covering a range of topics, including music, journalism and business, as well as getting practical advice on how to take the next steps in their career.

Jason Carter, Head of Live Music and Events, Popular Music, says: "The last Big Weekend in the city in 2004 was a legendary music moment in Northern Ireland, and it’s so great to be able to return with an even bigger show second time around. The concerts will be almost twice the capacity of the previous visit, and for the very first time, the event will run across three days. I have no doubt it will be a spectacular weekend of music in the heart of the city."

(CD)