Mitch Mansfield
Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

What makes a great festival? Good music? Joyful atmosphere? Decent weather?

Radio 1's Big Weekend always delivers the first two.

Not always the third. But for the last three days, the sun has shone on Sunderland - and Sunderland has shone back.

The crowds have enjoyed about 100 acts across three days, as will be the case for a lot of festivals across the UK this summer - even without Glastonbury.

Big Weekend, though, always feels different.

The event takes some of the world’s biggest and best artists to new places that aren’t used to seeing them - with more affordable and accessible tickets.

And with impressive foresight - or luck! - from the organisers, the two major names on this year’s line-up, Zara Larsson and Olivia Dean, are now on even higher levels of stardom than they were when first announced earlier this year.

“It’s unbelievable,” has been a regular response from the fans we spoke to.

But the party was started by a 62-year-old from Sussex who has been to Sunderland before, and knew what to expect.

Fatboy Slim set the tone for this year’s Big Weekend on Friday with a euphoric set of timeless bangers and it feels like the city hasn’t stopped dancing since.

When speaking to BBC Newsbeat, he was keen to praise the other stars of this year’s Big Weekend: the people he was playing to.

“I’m aware they’re lunatics on any given day!” he joked lovingly. But also, “always a really friendly, lively crowd”.

They have been - for every artist, every day, all day - and that’s what’s really made this Big Weekend special.

Not just for the city, but the region.

Leaving the last words to Norman. “Big up Sunderland, big up the North East.”

Mark Savage
Music correspondent at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Ezra Collective’s intro music for their set earlier tonight was Joy (This One), their collaboration with Joy Anonymous from earlier this year.

Band leader Femi Koleoso explained that was their manifesto for the night.

“We really believe in joy in this band. And when I say I believe in joy, I’m not going to pretend to be happy all the time, and I’m not going to pretend to be sad all the time … but I believe in hope for tomorrow.

“So what we’re going to do today is turn this place into a temple of joy. Whatever was on your mind when you woke up this morning, we’re going to make the decision to feel joy right now.

If you jump up and down, you’ll feel it in your soul."

As he cued up the band to play Can’t Steal My Joy, the positivity was uncontainable.

Mitch Mansfield
Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Friends Amy, Meghan and Deborah are heading home after an "unbelievable weekend".

"The best I’ve ever had in my life," says Meghan (middle).

They’ve travelled from Belfast to see Olivia Dean and CMAT, and it didn’t disappoint.

"Outstanding,” is how Amy (left) describes tonight’s headline set.

"Her looks, her voice, her chat - she’s so involved with the crowd."

"Absolute natural," agrees Meghan.

Amy also shows love for CMAT’s "charismatic" performance, and they’re tipping her for a future headline slot of her own one day.

"She better be - she’s got it in her," Meghan says.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent at Radio 1's Big Weekend

That was sheer class from Olivia Dean. A perfectly paced set, that swept everyone up in a wave of positivity.

We watched part of it from that big ferris wheel you see at the back of the crowd - and it was so overwhelming to see all the feather boas and polka dots, not to mention the little kids perched on their parents’ shoulders to catch a glimpse.

There was a pervasive rumour that Sam Fender would show up to perform Rein Me In - their long running chart-topping duet.

But in the end, he never managed to get off his sofa and make an appearance.

But do you know what? That’s fine.

Dean had the songs and the stage presence to keep the crowd happy without any special guests.

And what a way to end the weekend.

In a climate where it’s increasingly hard to persuade big artists to come and play what is essentially a free festival, where the artists typically don’t make money, Radio 1 secured some of the biggest names on the planet - and gave Sunderland a weekend it’ll never forget.

“The pink pyro, the confetti - what a joyous way to close out Big Weekend,” says Vick Hope, who has been hosting the BBC iPlayer coverage of the weekend. “The pure euphoria of it.”

And Jamie Laing called it a “perfect way to end an amazing weekend”.

“People were just dancing, people were just enjoying the moment – what a weekend.”

Naomi Clarke
BBC Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

A stunning firework display marks the end of Olivia Dean's set.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent at Radio 1's Big Weekend

From the floral stage design to Olivia Dean’s gorgeous shimmering dress, this whole set is designed to invoke the classic style of Diana Ross-era Motown.

But there’s something thoroughly modern about the way Dean describes love.

It’s not some fairy tale where we’re all “nice to each other”. Her relationships have meaning and depth.

“I don’t [just] want a boyfriend,” she sings on Nice To Each Other.

She sings about growth and maturity and self-love being as important as finding “the one”.

That’s why her second album has struck such a chord. The lyrics are as deep and memorable as her melodies.

Naomi Clarke
BBC Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

The disco ball has been lowered and Olivia Dean has slipped into a baby pink mini-dress with sparkly tassels, signally it’s time to groove!

A lively rendition of her track Baby Steps has the crowd bouncing around.

She takes the temperature up a notch as she performs the 1970 hit Move On Up.

Some of our intrepid reporters thought it would be a good time to catch the view from the ferris wheel.

Others have had a similar idea and are listening to Dean's set on nearby hills.

Naomi Clarke
BBC Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

The sun is setting on the main stage, casting a hazy golden and pink hue across the sky.

It perfectly tones in with Olivia Dean’s floral staging, and the romantic and joyful tone of the set.

She belts out A Couple Minutes, a track she reveals is “one of her favourites” and is about “forgiveness”.

“This next song changed my life,” the pop star says, and it’s of course her 2020 smash hit The Hardest Part.

Naomi Clarke
BBC Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

She may be only 27 but Olivia Dean has some wise words to impart to the crowd tonight.

“Love is something we all want but no one ever teaches us,” she says.

She tells them the definition of her latest Brit award-winning album, The Art of Loving, is that “loving another person in your life, and I don’t even mean romantically, is wanting to see them win”.

“Everybody here deserves that, and I deserve that too.”

It’s safe to say Dean is winning over the crowd tonight as they cheer her on when her band strikes up the chords to Let Alone the One You Love.

Mitch Mansfield and Naomi Clarke
BBC Newsbeat at Radio 1's Big Weekend

“I cannot believe I am headlining this festival,” Olivia Dean admits to the crowd. “You just have to take it all.”

Reflecting on her colossal rise to fame over the last few years, which included sweeping award shows and topping the charts, she says: "To think of everything that has happened since then is just crazy."

“We’re going to have fun this evening!”

As the sun sets behind the iconic Penshaw Monument overlooking Herrington Country Park, Dean sings the now iconic lyrics: “It’s so easy to fall in love with me.”

About 40,000 people seem to agree.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent at Radio 1's Big Weekend

It’s the first time Olivia Dean’s headlined a festival, but you’d never know.

She’s got such a natural ease to her performance.

There’s no showboating, no fussy choreography and no pyrotechnics (yet, at least).

As they always do, Dean's band are playing completely live without backing tracks - perfectly complementing the dusky glow of her voice.

“There’s only one rule, we want you to sing,” she says, cueing up So Easy To Fall In Love.

The sound of fans’ voices echoing around Herrington Country Park let us know this won’t be her last time at the top of the bill.

Naomi Clarke
BBC Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Chants for Olivia Dean rang out across the packed crowd as they eagerly awaited her arrival.

The British starlet played the BBC Big Weekend Introducing Stage in 2023.

And after just three short years, she’s climbed her way to closing out this year’s festival on the main stage.

“Sunderland!” she screams as she runs on stage in an elegant baby pink floor-length dress, which is embellished with sequins and feathers.

She launched into her hit Nice To Each Other to kick off the night.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Ezra Collective’s crowd has thinned out as people flock to the main stage for Olivia Dean, but the energy on stage hasn’t flagged, as they welcome out Sasha Keable for a guest slot, then launch into a celebratory version of Ajala.

Naomi Clarke
BBC Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Now for the moment many have been waiting for, UK pop girl of the moment Olivia Dean is set to close out BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2026.

The Brit has had a standout past year, securing major award wins and topping the charts with her infectious pop hits.

Earlier this year, she cemented her position as one of the most exciting artists in the UK when she picked up four awards at the Brits, including best British artist and best album for her soulful second record, The Art of Loving.

The 27-year-old Londoner also picked up the Grammy Award for best new artist and took home three Mobo Awards in recent months.

Last week her Brit Award-winning collaboration with North Shields singer Sam Fender, Rein Me In, broke a UK chart record as the male-female duet with the most weeks at number one, outdoing Rihanna and Jay-Z's classic collab Umbrella.

She has built a loyal fanbase, which spans across generations and continents, thanks to joyful and romantic pop songs like Man I Need and So Easy (To Fall In Love).

Her catalogue also expands into the worlds of jazz, alternative, R&B and folk, and she has been praised for her authenticity and celebrating the bravery of her grandmother, who was part of the Windrush Generation

Image source, Getty Images

Mitch Mansfield
Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

It’s not hard to make friends in Sunderland as Kameel (left) has been finding out.

The 27-year-old has flown from New York to be here after tickets to Olivia Dean’s US tour sold out.

Big Weekend “popped up on my Instagram", she tells BBC Newsbeat “and I was like, I can see a lot of people for the price I would in America”.

So what is it about OlivIa Dean that is connecting with audiences around the world right now?

Her music “resonates with me", says Kameel.

“She’s a person of colour, and so it’s great to hear her music and her story - and her vocals are insane!”

And Kameel will be enjoying it with her new mates, having met 22-year-old Emmanuel (middle) and 25-year-old Esther (right) on “the big green coach” to Herrington Country Park.

For Emmanuel, who’s from Cyprus and studying for his Masters in Newcastle, Big Weekend is one last chance to party before having to hit the books for his dissertation.

It's a “great way” to discover new artists, he says: “I love it, so fun!”

Eleanor Shearwood
Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Walking round site today, it's not hard to spot someone in polka dots. The reason why? Olivia Dean.

"It's just a trend, isn't it, it's her thing," Neave Cox tells BBC Newsbeat.

The 17-year-old, who’s travelled from Carlisle, came today specifically to see the award-winning singer because she believes "she's just the best".

Fans have been spotted wearing the pattern to her recent gigs, like at London’s O2 arena.

"I think she's very jazzy and that's what I think polka dots can be associated with," says Sid Storey.

Sid's a recent fan, but says every song "is just a banger, so I was like I've got to come".

One song she's known for is Rein Me In, a collab with North Shields' Sam Fender. He headlined Big Weekend last year, so do Olivia fans reckon he'll be making an appearance tonight?

"I feel like he could... but it is Sunderland, so he might not," adds Sid's friend Aimee Phillips, 17.

Even if the Mackem crowd wouldn't be too happy to see him, the Newcastle pair say they'd "definitely be cheering".

Image source, PA Media

Mark Savage
Music correspondent at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Five years ago, the idea of a jazz band headlining Radio 1’s Big Weekend would have been laughable - which shows you how much Ezra Collective have done to break down barriers in their first decade as a band.

On a hot, sticky day in Sunderland, they raise the temperature even higher with a percussive, high energy performance that straddles the line between jazz, funk, reggae and carnival.

The New Music Tent is rammed as they top the bill with all kinds of shapes being thrown from the back to the very front.

Even the people squashed against the barriers seems to be shaking their hips.

Naomi Clarke
BBC Newsbeat reporter at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Thousands of festival-goers have now two-stepped their way over to the New Music tent after CMAT’s electric performance has come to a close.

But it’s already spilling out with those who got here early for Ezra Collective. They must have heard that this jazz quintet knows how to have a good time, and they’re eager to get it started.

“We’re here to party hard - is there anybody out there ready to party with Ezra Collective?" they shout from the stage.

The trumpet and saxophone are blasting and people are clapping and vibing - I think they’re ready!