Big Weekend

The Big Weekend in Swindon event is just a few days away and the excitement is building.

The good news just keeps coming as well because it has recently been announced that Lily Allen, Kasabian, Kelly Rowland, Paolo Nutini and JLS will perform exclusive backstage Live Lounge sessions at the Big Weekend.

This is the first time that BBC Radio 1 has taken the Live Lounge backstage at its annual flagship event which takes place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May.

Jo Whiley, whose weekday show is home to the Live Lounge on Radio 1 said: "I'm so thrilled we're taking the Live Lounge to Radio 1's Big Weekend in Swindon - it means we can offer listeners something that even the crowd in Swindon won't get to see.

"I'm especially excited about Jack Penate and also Paolo Nutini who is tipping up especially to play the all new portable Live Lounge on wheels! Its going to be a lot of fun!''

Edith Bowman

Edith Bowman also had plenty to say on the eve of the Big Weekend and told of her excitement at the forthcoming event, and how she was looking forward to visiting Swindon properly for the first time.

And their Radio 1 colleague Scott Mills recently answered a couple of quick-fire questions for us about the Big Weekend.

What is your favourite Big Weekend memory?

Scott Mills: My fave Big weekend memory was introducing Madonna on air live on Radio 1 last year. I have never been so excited. All the hairs went up on the back of my neck. But I have so many good Big weekend memories. Going into the dressing room area and seeing all the bands and artists just hanging out, having a drink and playing football or chatting is always fun.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing in Swindon?

I'm really looking forward to seeing Lily Allen because I love her and have never actually seen her live before.

What would you say to people who didn't get tickets?

The thing is if you got a ticket you are SO lucky, I wish we could have given them to everyone in Swindon but we couldn't. The great thing is though you will be able to hear it all on Radio 1, and see it all on BBC3 and at Radio 1 online, and for the first time, you will be able to get Big Weekend on your mobile phone. You will get access to stuff that people at the event won't see!

BBC Radio 1's Scott Mills

What's in your festival wardrobe? Any must-have items that you'll be taking with you?

I'm rubbish at festivals. I went to Glastonbury one year without wellies and ruined a really nice new pair of trainers. I will pack normal clothes, summer ones because I'm praying for good weather like we had last year. But will take a big coat in case it rains or gets cold.

Why did you pick Swindon?

We like to choose places that don't get huge artists like the ones we get at the Big Weekend. Swindon has a lot of young people who would sometimes have to travel to London or Bristol to see these acts, and the best thing is - they are all in one place! Swindon will not have seen or heard anything like this before - it is AMAZING!