Big Weekend Sunderland – full guide to set times and stages

Here’s a simple, day‑by‑day itinerary of set times so you know exactly when to be at the Main Stage and who you can catch if you fancy a wander.

Friday, May 22 – Big Weekend opener

Friday sets the tone with an afternoon start and a heavy dance/electronic flavour on the Main Stage.

Gates open early afternoon, with the first act hitting the stage from around 3pm, building through DJ sets and live performances into the early evening slot.

Expect things to ramp up after work hours, with back‑to‑back sets leading into a hands‑in‑the‑air headliner to close out night one.

If you only have a Friday ticket, aim to be on site by mid‑afternoon so you don’t miss the warm‑up acts.

Main stage

Boo: 3 – 4.10pm

Charlie Hedges: 4.10 – 5.25pn

Clementine Douglas: 5.25 – 5.55pm

Sonny Fodera: 6.15 – 7.15pm

MK: 7.15 – 8pm

FIsher: 8 – 8.45pm

Fatboy Slim: 8.55 – 9.55pm

New Music Stage

Sarah Story: 2.40 – 3.20pm

Ahadadream B2B Arthi: 3.20 – 4pm

Arielle Free: 4 – 4.35pm

Horsegirl: 4.40 – 5.20pm

L.P Rhythm: 5.20 – 6pm

NOTION: 6.05 – 6.45pm

Danny Howard: 6.55 – 7.35pm

Ewan McVicar: 7.35 – 8.20pm

Marlon Hoffstadt: 8.20 – 9.20pm

BBC Introducing Stage

Max Jones: 2.20 – 3.20pm

Jude Lawless: 3.20 – 4pm

Mia Lily: 4 – 4.40pm

Niamh: 4.40 – 5.20pm

Ellie Scougall: 5.20 – 6pm

Sorley: 6 – 6.45pm

Anish Kumar: 6.45 – 7.30pm

Jaguar: 7.30 – 8.15pm

Saturday, May 23 – Pop heavyweights and chart stars

Saturday is the big pop day, with the Main Stage stacked from lunchtime until late.

Early‑afternoon slots are taken by newer names and Radio 1 favourites, perfect background for grabbing food and finding your spot.

By late afternoon the mood shifts up a gear with established chart acts and indie bands, before the build‑up to the headliner.

Main stage

Maia Beth Happy Anthems DJ set: 12.15 – 1.15pm

Ellie Goulding: 1.15 – 2pm

Dean McCullogh’s Pop Anthems DJ set: 2 – 2.45pm

Skye Newman: 2.45 – 3.20pm

Rickie Haywood-Williams & Melvin Odoom Workout Anthems: 3.20 – 4.05pm

Louis Tomlinson: 4.05 – 4.45pm

Nat O’Leary & Vicky Hawksworth Radio 1 Anthems set: 4.45 – 5.20pm

Nothing But Thieves: 5.30 – 6.15pm

Charlie Hedges Dance Anthems DJ set: 6.15 – 7pm

Lola Young: 7 – 7.50pm

Jeremiah Asiamah: 7.50 – 8.40pm

Zara Larsson: 8.45 – 9.50pm

New Music Stage

Erin Le Count: 12.30 – 1pm

Florence Road: 1.30 – 2pm

Wasia Project: 21.30 – 3.05pm

MUNA: 3.35 – 4.15pm

Rachel Chinouriri: 4.45 – 5.30pm

Mitski: 6 – 7pm

Sarah Story: 7 – 7.45pm

James Blake: 7.45 – 8.45pm

BBC Introducing Stage

Emma Harbs: 11.30 – 12pm

Swindled: 12.30 – 1pm

Heidi Curtis: 1.30 – 2pm

Tom A Smith: 2.30 – 3pm

Aaron Rowe: 3.30 – 4pm

BombayMami: 4.30 – 5pm

LeoStay Trill: 5.30 – 6pm

Bella Barbe: 6.30 – 7pm

Sunday, May 24 – Big sing‑alongs to finish

Sunday keeps the energy high but has more of a festival‑closer feel, with big sing‑along sets and guitar bands spread across the afternoon and evening.

The day opens a little earlier to squeeze in a busy line‑up, so it’s worth checking your ticket and the BBC’s official clashfinder before you travel.

Expect Sunday night to end with a statement headliner and a run of hits designed to have the whole park singing along before the fireworks.

Main Stage

Maia Beth Happy Anthems DJ set: 12.15 – 1.15pm

Niall Horan: 1.15 – 2pm

Dean McCullogh’s Pop Anthems DJ set: 2 – 2.45pm

Myles Smith: 2.45 – 3.25pm

Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom Workout Anthems: 3.25 – 4.10pm

Dermot Kennedy: 4.10 – 4.50pm

Nat O’Leary and Vicky Hawksworth Radio 1 Anthems set: 4.50 – 5.35pm

Kehlani: 5.35 – 6.15pm

Charlie Hedges Dance Anthems DJ set: 6.15 – 7pm

CMAT: 7 – 7.50pm

Jeremiah Asiamah: 7.50 – 8.40pm

Olivia Dean 8.45 – 9.55pm

New Music Stage

Alessi Rose: 12.45 – 1.15pm

Odeal: 1.45 – 2.20pm

FLO: 2.50 – 3.30pm

Jorja Smith (party set): 4 – 4.35pm

Holly Humberstone: 5.05 – 5.50pm

Maisie Peters: 6.20 – 7.05pm

Jack Saunders: 7.05 – 7.50pm

Ezra Collective: 7.50 – 8.50pm

BBC Introducing

Jenna Cole 11.30 – 12pm

Able Jack: 12.30 – 1pm

Wohdee: 1.30 – 2pm

Imogen and the Knife: 2.30 – 3pm

Venus Grrrls: 3.30 – 4pm

Finn Forster: 4.30 – 5pm

DC3: 5.30 – 6pm

Rubii: 6.30 – 7pm

Whatever day you’re going, consider being in time for bag checks, bar and toilet queues, and the walk from the transport hubs up to Herrington Country Park.