By Ally Olis
Photo Credit: BBC / James Watkins.
BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend picked Sunderland as its poison this year, ushering in a bank holiday weekend punctuated by heatwaves, headliners and hits. A much larger crowd of local audiences this year, as Newcastle, Durham and other surrounding areas were added to the localised ticket pools, and given the opportunity to see artists like Fatboy Slim, Zara Larsson, and Olivia Dean, across the Main Stage over these three days.
Day One, set at 18+ entry only, with a line-up decked to the nines in famous DJs, served as a treat for those of us who prefer our gigs to be a little less family friendly than the average person. Many in the crowd were most enthusiastic to see acts like MK, and FISHER, but even the people who exist outside of the ether of rave, dance, and house music, know that a set by Fatboy Slim is a rather legendary way to spend a Friday night.
On the Main Stage smack in the middle of the first day’s lineup, Clementine Douglas garnered quite the crowd of listeners. Her setlist included collabs across her discography from Blessings to Happier, and the crowds were eager for a dance, as people right at the barricade knew the words every time the camera cut to a select few.
Everyone seemed to be in the highest of spirits, on the drink, and dressed as though they were all spending their night at Ushuaia in Ibiza as opposed to standing in a country park in the North East. Even though she set the tone for an extremely lighthearted day of fun, her vocals were nothing short of serious business, ensuring that everyone knew the microphone was – in fact – on.
As the day continued on, the male DJs dominated the line-up, feeding the crowd with an infinite number of remixes.
Playing a curated setlist of every conceivable crowd pleasing tune from Show Me Love, to Born Slippy, to Say My Name, it seems near impossible to have a bad time if Sonny Fodera is behind the deck. For someone who isn’t particularly an avid member of the dance/house community, this is the perfect environment and crowd to cultivate the need for a boogie. Hands in the air, frat-flicking, stepping and stomping all around the grounds, it seemed as though something came alive among crowd goers, with each passing tune. Even though this would be the first of many times hearing a mix of Born Slippy blast over the main speakers, you have to give credit where it is due when someone is the first to beat everyone else to the punch.
Next in the line-up seemed to be a fan favourite.
Bringing out Tones & I to sing their latest release, Flavour, FISHER gave one of the most highly anticipated sets of the evening. Most of the girls roaming the grounds throughout the day were most excited to see him, hoping to hear notable classics from Take It Off, to Stay, to World Hold On. He had arguably the biggest turnout for the first day next to the headliner, and seems like a strong introduction into the genre for those looking to dive into the culture headfirst.
And then, of course, there was one act left.
This headliner needs no introduction, bringing a large-scale nightclub production to the festival stage. From pyrotechnics to on screen visuals, to confetti, experiencing a set by Fatboy Slim seems almost incomparable to anything else. This hour of uninterrupted rave, dance, and repeat, was a prime example of why he is an influential pioneer of the electronic dance movement.
A set of the very best of the best, he gave us everything from Star 69, to Role Model, to Praise You, to The Rockefeller Skank, to Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat, and even mixed Born Slippy with Mr. Brightside. Encouraging people to put their phones away and just enjoy the moment together, taking a mental picture doesn’t quite do it the justice it deserves, and it’s an experience I’m extremely eager to repeat. Ending the night on a message of “Drop Beats Not Bombs” and “Only Love Can Conquer Hate,” it’s highly evident that even though Fatboy Slim has been around the block for a while, he’s very much in tuned to what the people want and how to keep the masses impressed.
The first day of the festival exceeded my expectations as someone who was worried they would feel a smidge out of touch. It set the standard for the weekend to come, especially with a more diverse array of music slated on the lineups for the following two days. All in all, I would rate this day 3 1/2 out of 5 stars, purely as the highlight is to come later on in the weekend.
Photography Copyright 2026 © BBC Public Service.
Text Copyright 2026 © Ally Olis/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Patrick Maloney 
Grace Elizabeth