Lola Young was asked how Liverpool crowds compare to her other shows
Lola Young performs at BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend at Sefton Park, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend headliner Lola Young was taken aback by the city’s energy after her performance. The Indie singer said she was pleasantly surprised by how good the Liverpool crowd was because she says “you wouldn’t think so”.
The festival takes places each year in a different location across the UK, with a superstar line-up curated by the radio station. Some of the weekend’s musical heavyweights included Tate McRae, Tom Grennan, Sam Fender, Wet Leg, HAIM and Mumford & Sons.
Speaking to Radio 1 DJs Ricky Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom after her 3pm performance, Lola said: “I loved it. I was in my head because there was so many people and I was a bit nervous but it was a moment for me.”
Melvin quizzed the singer on what she thought of the city’s energy. He asked: “How do the Liverpool crowds compare to any of your other shows?”
Lola, who is from Croydon, replied: “They’re actually great. I was surprised because you wouldn’t think so – but I don’t know why you wouldn’t think so.
“Actually, they are a rowdy, rowdy bunch anyway, but they were banging and I enjoyed it and I’m really happy to be here. Yeah, I don’t know what else to say, really.”
Yesterday’s headliners Sugababes praised the city in their off stage interview with Ricky and Melvin. Sugababes member Mutya Buena said: “We always love Liverpool crowds. It’s always a great crowd to perform to.”
Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan from the Sugababes were on the main stage on Saturday afternoon(Image: Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
Wavertree rapper Koj blew the roof off the Introducing Stage with his hip hop, rap and grime sound fusion. Speaking to the ECHO, Koj said: “We have a great community in Liverpool.
“The community aspect is growing day by day and you can see that in the music scene. There’s so much more positive energy and I think that’s due to grow bigger and bigger and bigger as time goes on.”
Koj went on to say the Scouse accent can be a massive advantage if you’re a talented artist or a hindrance if you are continuing to grow.
Wavertree rapper Koj
He added: “It’s always worked for me because it gives me a unique standpoint but I can do whatever the Londoners and Brummies do but I can put my own spin on it. The point is I’ve got the quality and work ethic to do anything anyone on the globe can do but obviously I’m a Scouser, man.”
Koj credited the city with a “love thy neighbour” energy that is difficult to find anywhere else. He said: “A wise man once said ‘if you give Liverpool a party they will love you’ and it couldn’t be truer.
“We love a party, we love a parade, we love all that stuff and I think there’s a certain energy here – working class and a love thy neighbour thing. There’s an energy and a passion you don’t get in many other places.”