City of Culture hosts Radio 1's Big Weekend

PABEST

Imagine Dragons lead vocalist Dan Reynolds performs during BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend at Burton Constable Hall, Burton Constable, Skirlaugh in Hull. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 27, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Bigweekend. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire — PABEST Imagine Dragons lead vocalist Dan Reynolds performs during BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend at Burton Constable Hall, Burton Constable, Skirlaugh in Hull. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 27, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Bigweekend. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

The event, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, saw people of all ages enjoying the free annual show, which travels to a different location every year.

World-famous acts appearing at the festival included Katy Perry, Kings of Leon, Little Mix and Biffy Clyro.

This year it was the turn of the UK’s City of Culture to do the honours and play host to festival goers from all over the country.

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Katy Perry performs during BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend at Burton Constable Hall, Burton Constable, Skirlaugh in Hull. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 27, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Weekend. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire — EDITORIAL USE ONLY Ã¢Â¬ NO MERCHANDISING, NO COMMERCIAL USE Katy Perry performs during BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend at Burton Constable Hall, Burton Constable, Skirlaugh in Hull. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 27, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Weekend. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Organisers stepped up security in the wake of the tragic events in Manchester last Monday night, when 22 people lost their lives in a terrorist attack at Manchester Arena.

The crowds fell silent at 3pm on Saturday for a minute’s silence, which was led by Oldham-born Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, to remember the victims. Many artists, including Emeli Sandé, dedicated songs to the people of Manchester.

He said afterwards: “It was incredible to witness that because it was quite daunting being from Manchester, being someone who has been to that venue a million times and been to loads of gigs and then have to talk to young people, that are at a gig, about something so tragic that happened.

“It was really daunting but the crowd were really respectful and just did exactly what I asked, which was just to be quiet for one minute, and it was so silent and the rapturous applause afterwards was really amazing.

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Rag 'n' Bone Man performs during BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend at Burton Constable Hall, Burton Constable, Skirlaugh in Hull. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 27, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Bigweekend. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire — PABEST Rag 'n' Bone Man performs during BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend at Burton Constable Hall, Burton Constable, Skirlaugh in Hull. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 27, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Bigweekend. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

“This festival feels a bit more special from previous Big Weekends because everyone is sort of being a bit more compassionate and thinking about one another.”

Katy Perry led tributes to the victims telling the crowd “we’re all in this together”. “We will still dance, we will still sing, we will still make music”, she said.

Ben Cooper, controller of BBC Radio One, said: “BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend is not just about the world’s greatest musicians. We’ve been working with Hull 2017, City of Culture, and our local partners to highlight the positive impact that young people in the area have in the region.”