BBC Biggest Weekend - Radio 1 in Swansea, Day One

Reviews

Oscar La-Gambina

28 May 2018

Swansea's Singleton Park hosted BBC Radio 1's section of this year's BBC Biggest Weekend. Day One was an absolute treat.

The BBC’s Biggest Weekend was billed as such due to the lack of Glastonbury this year, and the incredible line up that they brought in. Four locations in four nations on the same weekend was going to be a tough task, but Radio 1’s first day in Swansea was a fantastic start.

Ed Sheeran opened the main stage at midday, and then had to make his way to Manchester for a tour show in the evening. That’s how big this weekend is. With heavy rain and thunder predicted, festival goers came prepared for the worst, and during Ed Sheeran’s set it seemed to be going that way. His solo performance reached a climax along with the weather, his fierce beating of his guitar and the quickening bass colliding with the heavens opening. It was a terrifically dramatic start to the day.



Swansea’s Main Stage was accompanied with a BBC Introducing Stage and the Other Stage, and all three had stellar acts lined up. The day was full of surprises too, with Steel Banglez bringing out Big Shaq early on to perform the banger that is ‘Man’s Not Hot’.

Back over on the main stage, Jesse Glynne brought out all the pop in her performance with a complete backing band that sounded simply brilliant, while the Other Stage saw young sensation Sigrid perform, as well as Jorja Smith and classy Not3s.

Despite the horrid weather forecast, the sun came out in the afternoon at the perfect time for George Ezra’s set. His amazing voice and chilled, upbeat songs were the perfect cure for early fatigue, and a wonderful experience for those who may have headed to the bar slightly too early. It was almost as if George had control of the weather for his set.



Then we get into why this has reason to be billed ‘The Biggest Weekend’. The Main Stage was closed by Sam Smith, after performances from Craig David, Clean Bandit, and an incredibly energetic and powerful show from Years & Years, while the Other Stage had Chvrches, Wolf Alice and Bastille.

Showcasing some of the best unsigned and under the radar talent, we mustn’t forget the Introducing Stage. Names such as Asteroid Boys and Isaac Gracie featured, showing that the future of music is in safe hands. We also caught the end of Aberystwyth's Mellt, proving how big a platform BBC Introducing is. They sounded extremely fun.



There were more surprises to come, with Bastille bringing out special guest Craig David to perform their recent banger ‘I Know You’, while Wolf Alice proved that the British rock music scene is incredibly strong. Chvrches’ fame hasn’t stopped them from being lovely people, and their performance on the Other Stage was one of the friendliest festival performances you’re likely to see.

Day One of the Biggest Weekend was a huge success. Day Two brings Taylor Swift, Florence + The Machine, James Bay and more… could it top it?