The sun is shining, the music is pumping, and the UK festival season has officially kicked off with BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Sunderland. This year's event is a celebration of dance music, with a focus on the electronic dance music (EDM) renaissance that has been taking place in recent years. The festival is using all its stages to host a 'huge dance party', with a line-up dominated by producers and DJs in the dance and electronic music scene.
One of the highlights of the opening day was the performance of Australian producer Fisher, known for his carefree and fun energy. Fisher's set was a crowd-pleaser, with his adrenaline-filled banger 'Losing It' landing him a Grammy nomination in 2019. He also performed a remix of Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used to Know' and Bob Sinclar's 'World, Hold On'.
Another notable performance was by American producer MK, who has become a defining force in electronic dance music over the last three decades. MK's set included his viral hit 'Dior', which became an instant club classic, as well as his '90s club anthems 'Burning' and 'Always'. He also performed a dance-pop collaboration with Bolton-born Chrystal, and a remix of Celeste's 'Stop This Flame'.
The festival also featured a collaboration between MK and Poppy Baskcomb, with the sky around the main stage turning into a sea of purple as a cannon sprayed confetti across the crowd. The crowd was swinging tops in the air and bouncing around as MK entertained them with his tracks.
The festival's focus on dance music is a reflection of the genre's rich history in the UK, with disco, acid house, and techno drawing crowds to dancefloors in the 1970s and 1980s. The 1990s saw the rise of jungle, garage, and drum & bass, fuelling underground raves and clubs. In recent years, there has been a renaissance of electronic dance music, with artists like Fred Again and Sammy Virji headlining UK festivals, and pop-dance crossover acts like Charli XCX, SOPHIE, and PinkPantheress revitalising hyperpop.
The festival's location in Sunderland's Herrington Country Park also added to the experience, with the crowd coming prepared for the muddy conditions with plenty of trainers, sturdy boots, and cowboy boots. The weather was also on their side, with glorious sunshine and a low chance of rain.
Overall, BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend was a celebration of dance music and a showcase of the talent that is currently shaping the genre. With a focus on the electronic dance music renaissance and a diverse line-up of producers and DJs, the festival was a hit with the crowd, who were treated to a 'huge dance party' that will no doubt leave a lasting impression on them.
