05/02/2013

Big Weekend Returns To L'Derry

BBC Radio 1’s 'Big Weekend' will take place in L’Derry this year, as part of a range of events organised for the city’s stint as UK City of Culture.

The Big Weekend will return on Friday 24 May, with a day focused on dance music to be followed by two days of live music.

Two Door Cinema Club and Olly Murs have been named as guests for the event, with further acts to be announced in the coming weeks.

The free event was hosted by L’Derry in April 2004.

Jason Carter, Head of Live Music and Events, Popular Music said: "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."

Mayor Cllr Kevin Campbell added: "The Radio 1 Big Weekend event in 2004 was a huge event for the city and region and we are delighted that BBC Radio 1 has decided to come back to Derry~Londonderry and bring some of the world’s top performing artists to be part of our City of Culture celebrations. The return of Europe’s biggest free ticketed music event is a huge coup for the city and we are hugely excited about it."

Radio 1’s Big Weekend will be broadcast live on Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra and streamed on BBC Radio 1’s website.

(IT)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 October 2024
Belfast Music Continues To Thrive Following UNESCO Designation
Three years after being named a UNESCO City of Music, Belfast's music scene continues to flourish with ongoing support from Belfast City Council.
07 July 2023
Belfast Musicians And Venues To Benefit From Summer Initiatives
A number of Belfast-based performers and music venues are to benefit from a range of new summer initiatives as part of Belfast's UNESCO City of Music designation. The city was awarded the prestigious title in November 2021, becoming the first city on the island of Ireland and only the third in the UK to receive the accolade.
08 November 2021
Belfast Awarded UNESCO City Of Music Status
UNESCO has awarded Belfast the coveted City of Music status, celebrating the city's rich musical heritage and recognising the importance of music to its future. Belfast is only the third city in the UK to become a City of Music with Liverpool receiving it in 2016 and Glasgow in 2008.
04 April 2024
Two Major Music Festivals Generate Over £30m
Two major music festivals in 2023 generated an additional £30.8 million for the Northern Irish economy and created almost 6,000 paid employment opportunities, according to an independent report.
31 January 2013
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.