BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend: Zara Larsson headlines

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend was under way in Sunderland on Saturday, May 23, with Zara Larsson named among the day-two headliners as the festival returned to Herrington Country Park. BBC coverage described the atmosphere as having a “carnival” feel, while Radio Times published the running order and full lineup for the weekend. (radiotimes.com) The three-day event runs from Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 24, according to Radio Times. Saturday’s main-stage bill included Ellie Goulding, Louis Tomlinson, Nothing But Thieves, Lola Young and Zara Larsson, alongside BBC Radio 1 presenters and DJ sets between performances. (radiotimes.com) For readers trying to place the event in context, Big Weekend is Radio 1’s annual live music festival and this year’s edition is being held in Sunderland for the first time in 21 years, Radio Times reported. The site said gates were due to open from 11 a.m. and each day was expected to end at about 10 p.m. (radiotimes.com) ### When did Zara Larsson perform, and where did she sit on the bill? Radio Times listed Zara Larsson in the closing main-stage slot on Saturday, scheduled from 8:45 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. The same schedule placed Lola Young at 7 p.m., followed by Jeremiah Asiamah before Larsson’s set. (radiotimes.com) Saturday’s main stage also featured Louis Tomlinson at 4:05 p.m. and Nothing But Thieves at 5:30 p.m., according to the published running order. The lineup article separately named Larsson, Tomlinson and Young among the Saturday performers. (radiotimes.com) ### What else was happening across the festival site in Sunderland? Herrington Country Park hosted three performance areas: the Main Stage, the New Music Stage and the BBC Introducing Stage, Radio Times reported. Saturday’s New Music Stage lineup included MUNA, Rachel Chinouriri, Mitski and James Blake, while the Introducing Stage featured acts including Aaron Rowe, BombayMami and Bella Barbe. (radiotimes.com) Radio Times described the 2026 bill as “jam-packed” and said the event brought together chart acts and newer performers across the weekend. (radiotimes.com) The publication said the festival had “an act for every kind of music lover” across its three stages. ### How was the weekend structured across all three days? Friday, May 22, opened with Fatboy Slim headlining the first night, Radio Times reported. That opening-night bill also included Sonny Fodera, Danny Howard and Ewan McVicar. (radiotimes.com) Sunday, May 24, was scheduled to close with Olivia Dean in the final main-stage slot from 8:45 p.m. to 9:55 p.m. Niall Horan, Dermot Kennedy, Kehlani and CMAT were also listed for the last day. ### Where can viewers or listeners follow the rest of the weekend? (radiotimes.com) BBC programming for Radio 1’s Big Weekend is available through BBC iPlayer, where the broadcaster says the festival features “the biggest names and hottest new artists” performing for Radio 1 and festival audiences. Radio Times also published separate lineup and stage-time guides for the Sunderland event. (radiotimes.com) Sunday’s published schedule points viewers to the next major sets at Herrington Country Park, with Olivia Dean topping the bill and Niall Horan, Kehlani and CMAT also due on the main stage before the weekend ends. (radiotimes.com) (bbc.co.uk)