Radio 1's Big Weekend under way in Sunderland

Radio 1's Big Weekend has kicked off in Sunderland with thousands of people arriving to see some of music's biggest names in action over three days.

DJ Fatboy Slim headlines Friday's line-up at Herrington Country Park, with pop stars Zara Larsson and Olivia Dean taking to the stage on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

The festival is the radio station's flagship event and is held in a different place every year.

About 100,000 people are expected to attend.

It last took place in Sunderland in 2005, with performers including the Black Eyed Peas and Gwen Stefani.

In the queue ahead of opening, festival-goers told the BBC they were pleased the city had been chosen.

Two "born-and-bred" Sunderland residents said: "It's our home town, it's nice to have all this commotion going on."

Other attendees said: "Every time we travel, usually it's to Newcastle or Manchester.

"The sun's shining, it's going to be a good day."

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Fatboy Slim joked North East crowds needed to "get over your shy streak because I've noticed you're very reserved and never shout and never dance".

"It's a very vocal and lively crowd in the North East," he added. "It's always a pleasure playing there.

"I do feel bad sometimes that the North East gets overlooked, it's not necessarily on the main touring schedule.

"Maybe people are just thankful we've made the journey."

More than 100 artists are expected to perform, including several up-and-coming local acts, such as DJ Emma Harbs and Heidi Curtis.

Teessider Max Jones opened the festival, which he said was "electric".

"Honestly it's special to see us get an opportunity like this and to see a region that a lot of people think is forgotten about a lot get something that brings not only the biggest names in the world but a lot of its homegrown talent together on one thing," the DJ said.

"It gives us all a big platform."

DJ LP Rhythm said he could see the stages being built from the house he grew up in.

"It's absolutely [a] full circle moment," he said.

"To be able to represent Sunderland on a global scale because of this, it means the world."

Radio 1 DJ Maia Beth, who is from Washington, said she was excited to shine a spotlight on the area.

"It's genuinely surreal for me, like Herrington Park is where I was learning to ride a bike, when I was stressed in exams I came here and went on runs, me and my friends used to come here to just hang out, and now it feels like the whole music industry has just dropped on my doorstep," she said.

"It's mental."

Maia Beth added the festival was giving local artists a massive opportunity.

"There's so many great North East acts getting a chance to play a massive festival on their doorstep and it just feels like a rare thing but a thing we need more of," she said.

It is a sentiment shared by BBC Introducing North East presenter Shakk, who said people were going to "witness the magic" of the region.

"We've got artists from Sunderland, Teesside, Newcastle, the whole region is represented so well and you're going to witness exactly why we're all buzzing about the North East music scene right now.

"I'll make a promise right now, you come to this BBC Introducing stage you will not be disappointed and you might even find your next favourite artist."

Friday is the first time the festival will use all of its stages to host a "huge dance party" across the opening day, Radio 1 says.

As well as Fatboy Slim, Australian producers Fisher and Sonny Fodera, Birmingham-born singer Clementine Douglas and American DJ MK will be on the decks.

Saturday will then see performances by Ellie Goulding, Lola Young, James Blake and Mitski along with Larsson.

Sunday's attendees will be able to watch shows by the likes of CMAT, Niall Horan, Myles Smith and Ezra Collective, with Dean then playing her first UK festival headline set from 20:45.

All set times can be found on the Radio 1 Big Weekend app which can be downloaded here.

Each day will end approximately at 22:00.

The weekend's action will be broadcast on BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Sounds.

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