Olivia Dean Closes BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend with Captivating Performance
Olivia Dean concluded BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend with a joyful and memorable set, which she described as "magic." The UK pop sensation captivated tens of thousands gathered at the main stage with her mesmerizing vocals, delivering soulful performances of hits such as "Dive," "The Hardest Part," and "So Easy (To Fall In Love)."
The stage was adorned with floral designs and accompanied by a live band, complementing Dean's elegant shimmering dresses and thoughtful words, creating a complete and engaging experience.
"I cannot believe I am headlining this festival," Dean shared with the audience, reflecting on her remarkable ascent since performing on the Big Weekend Introducing Stage in 2023.
"To think of everything that has happened since then is just crazy."
Over the past year, the British artist has achieved significant milestones, including major award wins and chart-topping success with her infectious pop songs.
Earlier in the year, Dean solidified her status as one of the UK's most exciting artists by winning four awards at the Brits, including Best British Artist and Best Album for her second record, The Art of Loving.
The 27-year-old Londoner also earned the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and received three Mobo Awards in recent months.
Her loyal fanbase spans generations and continents, drawn to her joyful and romantic pop songs that incorporate elements of jazz, alternative, R&B, and folk.
Dean closed her set, and the weekend, with a vibrant rendition of her number one single "Man I Need," as pink fireworks and confetti filled the sky.
"This has just been magic," she told the crowd, whose enthusiastic applause confirmed their agreement.
Final Day Highlights at Herrington Country Park
The event took place in Herrington Country Park on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 24 degrees Celsius. The performances on the final day of Big Weekend were notably energetic and engaging.
Fresh off winning the Best Album Ivor Novello earlier in the week for her latest release, Euro-Country, Irish singer CMAT delivered a dynamic performance on the main stage.
She demonstrated why she is considered one of the defining songwriters and most exciting live performers of the moment, incorporating two-stepping, line dancing, and dramatic floor collapses into her set.
Her performance featured powerful renditions of hits including "Stay For Something," "When A Good Man Cries," and "I Don't Really Care For You."
CMAT addressed the crowd about receiving "very nasty comments" regarding her appearance after performing at Big Weekend in 2024.
"It's crazy because I'm actually very sexy," she declared before removing her shirt to reveal a light blue, semi-see-through ruffled two-piece outfit, prompting a roaring applause from the audience.
She then performed "Take A Sexy Picture Of Me," a song that critiques extreme beauty standards imposed on women.
New Music Stage Performances
On the New Music stage, Brighton singer-songwriter Maisie Peters expressed gratitude to the audience for her first Big Weekend experience.
Her debut festival performance came shortly after releasing her stripped-back third album, Florescence. She took the opportunity to perform new tracks, including "Questions" and "My Regards."
Following Peters, jazz band Ezra Collective energized the crowd with their signature blend of jazz, funk, reggae, and carnival rhythms.
Festival attendees spilled out of the tent to witness their high-energy, percussive performance.
Main Stage and Other Notable Acts
Earlier in the day, Irish singer Dermot Kennedy performed a selection of crowd favorites on the main stage, followed by US singer Kehlani, who delivered a powerful set.
Thousands were also entertained by former One Direction member Niall Horan, who made a surprise appearance during Myles Smith's main stage set for their collaboration on the song "Drive Safe."
Girl group Flo, who declared "R&B is back" upon receiving their Mobo Award earlier this year, demonstrated this during their New Music stage performance.
Later, Jorja Smith presented a lively "party set" in the same tent, followed by Holly Humberstone, who offered a darker, more gothic atmosphere.
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