Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera to Headline Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend is set to return with a massive dance party on its opening day. DJs Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera will headline the first night of the festival, which takes place at Herrington Country Park in Sunderland from May 22 to May 24.

Star-Studded Line-Up

Joining the headliners will be Australian producer FISHER, American DJ MK, and Birmingham-born singer Clementine Douglas. Radio 1 DJs Arielle Free, Danny Howard, Charlie Hedges, and Sarah Story will also perform, alongside German DJ HorsegiirL and Scottish producer Ewan McVicar. Bassline DJ Notion, trance artist Marlon Hoffstadt, and house DJ L.P. Rhythm are on the bill, with Ahadadream going back-to-back with Arthi.

Fatboy Slim’s Festival Legacy

Fatboy Slim, whose real name is Norman Cook, has long been a staple of the U.K. festival scene. Known for hits like Praise You, Right Here, Right Now, and The Rockafeller Skank, his sets are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. His co-headliner, Sonny Fodera, brings his emotive house sound to the stage, promising a dynamic contrast in styles.

Sunderland’s Return to Big Weekend

This year marks the first time Sunderland has hosted Big Weekend since 2005, when Gwen Stefani, Foo Fighters, and the Black Eyed Peas topped the bill. Tens of thousands of fans are expected to attend the three-day event, which will feature around 100 acts across multiple stages.

Ticket Information

Tickets for Friday went on sale at 09:00 GMT, with local residents receiving priority access. General admission tickets are priced at £34.50, while VIP tickets cost £86.00. Friday’s event is restricted to over-18s, but those aged 15 and under can attend Saturday and Sunday if accompanied by an adult.

Saturday and Sunday tickets will go live on March 11 at 17:00 GMT, priced at £44.50 for general admission and £106.00 for VIP. Festival-goers can purchase up to two tickets per person per day, but restrictions mean attendees can only attend Friday and one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday), not both.

Looking Ahead

The Saturday headliners will be announced on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show on March 9. With Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera leading the charge, the opening day promises to be one of the biggest dance parties in Big Weekend history.