“Luton is now officially cool” – that was the verdict of Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet as the football club played host to the announcement that BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend music festival will be held in Stockwood Park this May.
As one of the UK’s most popular music festivals, attracting global artists, with more than 100,000 fans in attendance and millions watching on television, the May Bank Holiday weekend (24-26) is set to be Luton’s biggest weekend in living memory.
It will be one year since the football club won promotion to the Premier League for the first time via the Championship play-off final at Wembley and the music weekender could be the backdrop for further celebrations if they pull off top-flight survival, with the final game of the season at home to Fulham the weekend before.
And having played host to some of the world’s top footballers, it will be the turn of the globe’s biggest music stars to light up the town when they descend on the Stockwood Park in four months’ time.
DJ Greg James hosted his BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show live this morning from Kenilworth Road and the Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet said: “We are so proud to host the BBC at Kenilworth Road today to make this announcement, which is huge for Luton.
“There are so many great things happening here on a daily basis, and we saw the overwhelming feeling of positivity flowing through our streets when we celebrated our promotion to the Premier League last May.
“That feel-good factor has continued as we’ve welcomed the world’s top footballers to Luton this season, and hosting Radio One’s Big Weekend and some of the world’s top music artists is sure to give everyone in our town another few days to remember.
“Luton is now officially cool.”
Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, Leader of Luton Council, said: “The fact that BBC Radio 1 has chosen Luton to host the Big Weekend is fantastic news for our town, especially our young people, and will showcase all the wonderful things about Luton.
“This event will give a multi-million pound boost to Luton’s economy and provide a number of opportunities for local young people and businesses, with tens of thousands in attendance and millions tuning in across the BBC. It gives us an opportunity to step forward and showcase the very best of our ambitious, brilliantly vibrant, wonderfully diverse and transforming town.”
The council is working in partnership with the BBC and Festival Republic and they hope that the Big Weekend will deliver opportunities for Lutonians.
Cllr James Taylor, portfolio holder for regeneration and inclusive economy, said: “This is a huge win for Luton. In addition to being an iconic festival for our young people right on their doorsteps, an event of this scale brings with it opportunities including work experience, upskilling and volunteering which we are committed to maximising.
“We know that some residents and businesses may be impacted so we will be working hard on the event delivery plans which will seek to minimise disruption. We will be communicating with households and holding drop-in events for neighbours of the park and those near some of the main transport links.
“It was fitting that the announcement was made at our football stadium. Luton Town being promoted to the Premier league has already put a positive spotlight on our town and this fantastic event will further amplify this.”
Step Forward Luton Ambassador, Tamar Lovindeer-Robinson expressed his enthusiasm for the event: “This is undeniably the most exciting event our town has ever hosted, at least in my lifetime. The BBC’s decision to select Luton as the host for their largest ever weekender event is truly something worth celebrating and goes to prove that Luton is on the up!
“With many visitors coming to town, we see this as a golden opportunity to challenge the negative narrative often portrayed about Luton. It’s our time to prove that we are a vibrant, diverse, and an exceedingly welcoming town with lots going for it.”
While the event itself is being paid for by the BBC, the council will need to pick up some elements such as the traffic management plan for the weekend. This will be paid for using government grants and sponsorship, including from the council’s airport company Luton Rising.
Luton Rising will be helping to ensure the benefits to Luton are maximised including supporting a ‘festival makers’ volunteering programme.
Cllr Javeria Hussain, portfolio holder for education and skills and who sits on the board of the council’s airport company Luton Rising, said: “It’s rare that we are able to deliver a musical event of national significance for Luton, and everyone at Luton Rising is delighted to be getting behind this unique chance for our town to shine on the UK stage.
“Radio 1’s Big Weekend is an incredible celebration of broadcasting and live music and Luton Rising’s contribution will be to ensure that young people and local businesses in particular can make the most of some incredible opportunities.”
For more information visit:
There will be a number of opportunities to volunteer during the weekend and the volunteering programme will be launched in March. To register interest email BigWeekendVolunteering@luton.gov.uk
To find out more about opportunities for businesses and traders please go to
