The three-day festival saw four different stages erected inside the south Liverpool park as well as a VIP area and backstage zones
Radio 1 Big Weekend take-down operation in Sefton Park
The clean-up operation is still underway at a Liverpool city park following the hugely successful BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Festival last week. The music festival took over Sefton Park over the bank holiday weekend, with a host of live performances on Friday, May 23, Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25.
A whopping 100,000 people visited Sefton Park over the course of the weekend to enjoy live performances from the likes of Sam Fender, Blossoms, and JADE, as well as a surprise performance from Ed Sheeran. The set-up operation for the festival was huge, with four different stages needing to be erected in the park.
Road closures were put in place in the area, with boards going up to block off areas of the park that would form part of the festival site. Once works were completed, the festival site was an impressive and sprawling sight – it featured a big wheel, a big-top circus-style tent, food vendors, and a VIP area.
With the sheer scale and size of the festival, it’s no surprise the take-down and clear-up works will also be a significant operation.
Radio 1 Big Weekend take-down operation in Sefton Park
A number of pathways that were closed off on festival days were quickly reopened once the event finished, with members of the public able to access much of the park.
Photos taken at Sefton Park one week on from the event show some of the boards still in place around the perimeter of the event site, with posters still advertising BBC Radio 1 shows, TV shows, and acts who featured on the festival bill.
Some sections of road remained closed off, with a sign in one area stating, “Car park closed May 8, 2025, to June 6, 2025.
Radio 1 Big Weekend take-down operation in Sefton Park
Dog walkers, runners, and cyclists continued to navigate the perimeter of the site, while stages could be seen being dismantled inside the event space.
This week, the BBC thanked Liverpool for hosting a “hugely successful event” and “for making it an unforgettable weekend”.
A statement from BBC Radio 1 said: “Thank you to the city of Liverpool for hosting Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025.
“It was a hugely successful event, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended for making it an unforgettable weekend.”
Radio 1 Big Weekend take-down operation in Sefton Park
British singer Tom Grennan closed the first evening, but not before recruiting pop icon Mel C of Spice Girls fame to join him on stage. During the performance, Tom darted backstage to change into an Everton FC shirt while Mel wore a red Liverpool FC top.
Together, they stood side by side to the number 97 – a tribute to the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster. Taking a pause from the music, Tom addressed the crowd with heartfelt words about “uniting the city”.
Shortly after gates opened at 11am on Saturday, BBC Radio 1 DJ and Breakfast host Greg James announced the ‘special guest’ who was set to open the New Music Stage at 1.15pm. The surprise announcement was met with huge excitement from fans, as Greg revealed Ed Sheeran would be performing.
Addressing the crowds, he said: “Liverpool how are we feeling? Now I’m glad you turned up; I know this was a secret. But I’m going to play some songs that I hope you know, and if you don’t… it’s going to be a long hour for you.
“I just thought, ‘It’s Liverpool, it’s Saturday; if I play at night time your energy might be gone, but if I catch you first, I’m going to get all the Liverpudlian energy first.”
Radio 1 Big Weekend take-down operation in Sefton Park
Saturday was a mixed bag of rain and shine, but it failed to put a dampener on the spirits of festivalgoers. People ditched their short shorts and crop tops in favour of raincoats and parkas, dancing the night away to a soundtrack of Aitch B2B AJ Tracey, Blossoms, Wolf Alice, and Sam Fender.
The final day saw international pop star Tate McRae draw an audience of thousands despite her 1.30pm call time.
The festival was concluded by Little Mix star JADE taking over the New Music Stage for a solo performance. The red and white carnival tent was packed with fans, with even more people standing outside to watch the vocalist performing on screens.
Indie-folk band Mumford & Sons had the pleasure of closing the festival’s Main Stage. Bidding farewell to a historic bank holiday weekend, the crowd became a spectacular sea of light as thousands shined their phone torches to create a dazzling display of unity.