How to prep for Radio 1’s Big Weekend
Ladies and Gents, it’s official – from the 28th-29th May, Radio 1 will be taking over the grounds at Powderham Castle, Exeter for its Big Weekend. If you’ve already bagged yourself a ticket or you’re still trying to get your hands on some from the on-air competitions, we’re here to help you prepare for THE event of the summer.
All About The USA
Radio 1 have announced more of this year’s line-up and it seems as though there is one clear theme – the American’s are back!
Joining the likes of Coldplay and The 1975 will be The Weeknd, Nick Jonas, Meghan Trainor, Fetty Wap, Twenty One Pilots, OneRepublic and Panic! At The Disco. Be sure not to miss out on any of their sets, as they are sure to show you how the USA put on a show.
Also joining the bill for this year is Australian rapper Iggy Azelea and a number of British legends such as Bastille, Jake Bugg, Jess Glynn, Catfish and The Bottlemen, Years & Years, Jack Garratt and plenty more. Each name on the list has been playing non-stop on our radios for the past year, so the show is guaranteed to be one giant sing-along. Find out everything you need to know about this year’s line-up at http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e2 f9rz/performances.
Exclusive, Exclusive, Exclusive
This fest is so exclusive that people will do anything to get themselves a piece of the action – last year even saw people tunnelling into the arena with shovels. So if you’re still after some tickets, please don’t make yourself look that desperate. Instead, tune in to Radio 1 from 8am on Saturday and Sunday and have a go at winning some on their on-air competitions. These will be taking place right through until 22nd May, which means if you’re lucky enough to win, you’ll still have seven weeks to prepare for the big weekend.
If you’re already part of the ‘exclusive’ club of ‘exclusive’ ticket holders, you may just be in the presence of some other very ‘exclusive’ people. There’s already going to be a lot of famous faces performing at the fest, so who is to say there won’t be some other famous faces in the crowd?
We won’t mention any names, but you never know… maybe some of Ellie Goulding’s close friends might ‘McFly’ their way to the event, or a new model on the scene and her sister will be there to support her superstar boyfriend for the ‘weeknd’… But like we said, we won’t be mentioning any names.
What to take
One of the greatest things about a no-camping festival is that you can afford to be as glamourous as you wish, as you won’t be covered in dirt or have a serious case of bad bed hair. As well as making sure your outfit is banging enough to look fab for your Facebook album, it’s a good idea to make sure it is practical too. This is an outdoor arena and we do live in England… so make sure you have something that is waterproof close to hand because who knows what the weather will decided to throw at us.
If wellies really aren’t you’re thing, that’s fair enough. We’re yet to find a pair of wellies that we are proud to be seen in. But anyway, footwear is important at this type of event as you need them to protect you from any muddy puddles but also keep your feet happy and comfy all day long. High heels are definitely not advised.
It’s also a good idea to think about how much stuff you want to be holding onto during the day itself. You’ll need the basics, but you don’t want to be weighed down by so much stuff that it stops you from throwing some serious shapes to a Sigma track. Think of the essentials – money, a mobile phone, sunglasses and water. It’s important to keep hydrated whilst you’re on your feet for so long so make sure to have something to keep you going and grab yourself some food from one of the fest’s stalls to keep your energy up.
Travel Info
It’s recommended by both Radio 1 and Powderham Castle that you get the train to the event. The nearest station is Starcross Station, which is a quick 20 minute walk to the arena (or a 10 minute taxi drive if you’re really that lazy). If trains just aren’t your thing, you can pay for a park and ride at a few locations for £11 per person or find your way to Exeter coach station and catch a shuttle bus right to the site. Unfortunately, there won’t be a place for a private car drop off in or near the venue, so it’s extra important for anyone living locally to plan your route. For all the information about traveling to the fest, check this out http://www.powderham.co.uk/tra nsport-guide.
Emily Thursfield