RADIO 1's Big Weekend is coming to Middlesbrough!
The major music festival will take place at Stewart Park on Bank Holiday Weekend Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26.
DJ Greg James, below, announced this year's festival location, and some of the artists expected to play on his breakfast show on Wednesday morning.
Miley Cyrus, Little Mix, The 1975, Khalid, Zara Larsson and Mabel are scheduled to play the massive gig.
James told listeners: "That is good, right?" before adding: "We are taking over Stewart Park. Why hello Middlesbrough, we are coming for you and we are bringing some of the biggest artists on the planet.
"We are so excited. I am so excited that we can now mention it. Stupidly, they told me ages ago man and it's been a nightmare. I cannot keep a secret and I nearly said it yesterday. Now we can say it - Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough - we are bringing the Big Weekend to Middlesbrough.
"We are well excited and we hope you are too. Radio One is nothing without its brilliant listeners and every single year we like to bring a huge music festival to you to say thankyou for being part of the radio station. So that's alright isn't it, that."
James promised more announcements in the coming weeks.
He also said that ticket details were NOT YET available.
"Loads of people asking about tickets, no details as yet have been released," he said. "To find out how to get those tickets just got to keep listening over the next couple of weeks on Radio One."
Miley Cyrus
Little Mix
The 1975
Zara Larsson
Khalid
Mabel
🎉 #BigWeekend is coming to MIDDLESBROUGH on the 25th & 26th May 2019 and we’re bringing this incredible lot with us 👇@MileyCyrus@The1975@LittleMix@Mabel@ZaraLarsson@thegreatkhalid
— BBC Radio 1 (@BBCR1) February 27, 2019
PLUS many more to be announced! pic.twitter.com/rCuhl24MOn
One person who was happier than most at the announcement was caller Sam who entered a competition for tickets.
She entered in January without realising where the event was being held.
James got her on the phone shortly after the location was revealed.
"We were giving away tickets to anyone who wanted to enter the competition, completely at random," he said. "Sam, can you tell everyone where you actually live?"
An over-the-moon Sam replied: "In Middlesbrough, round the corner from Stewart Park."
"When you said Middlesbrough, everyone's faces in the studio just fell and they went 'Oh, God, what'," said James. "It's the stupidest coincidence ever that you are actually from Middlesbrough and we couldn't say to you 'It's bloody in Middlesbrough Sam, how did you know?'"
"We were like, 'people are going to think this is a fix'. This is ridiculous. And also you get travel and accommodation. But I suppose you will just stay at home, will you?"
Sam replied: "Yeah, you can all come for a party at my house."
The last time the festival had been in the region was back in 2005, it was held at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland.
Reacting to the news, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "I’m over the moon we’ve landed BBC’s Big Weekend right here in Middlesbrough, bringing some of the biggest music acts from across the world right to our doorstep.
"The Big Weekend is another major coup for us and it shows that promoters and organisers of these huge events are taking our area seriously. Now we’re ready to show off to music fans as we get the Tees Valley into the homes, and cars, of people across the country.
"As well as being a load of fun, this event alone is expected to attract 75,000 people to the town, meaning more people spending money in our shops, bars, hotels and restaurants. Each and every visitor to the Tees Valley will see for themselves what we’re all about, and why we’re a great place to live and visit.
"Just a few years ago, we wouldn’t have had the confidence to put ourselves forward as a location for massive gigs like this or bid for global competitions such as the Rugby League World Cup, let alone secure them."
HERE'S HOW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REACTING TO THE NEWS:
She's got a potty mouth but we love her! Can't wait for @MileyCyrus in Mbro at the end of May...mind blowing stuff. #BigWeekend pic.twitter.com/90kLckj6nd
— Tees Uni SU (@teessidesu) February 27, 2019
Can’t wait to see videos of Miley and Khalid trying out a parmo and getting smashed in Barracuda #BigWeekend
— Feb-Lew-Ary (@PepsiLew) February 27, 2019
@gregjames how and when can I get tickets I would love to take my little girl And also be your tour guide #BigWeekend
— Pete watson (@Petewatsonn) February 27, 2019
I reckon anyone who lives within half a mile of #StewartPark should automatically get a ticket to @BBCR1 #BigWeekend. pic.twitter.com/NBgsw76Tmp
— Sarah Thompson (@SarahLoThompson) February 27, 2019
With news of the @BBCR1 #BigWeekend coming to Middlesbrough, we'd like to challenge @MileyCyrus @LittleMix @thegreatkhalid @the1975 @Mabel and @zaralarsson to one of our parmos FREE of charge. Who will take up our offer?! pic.twitter.com/c0cy6A72Tn
— Al Forno Italian Restaurant (@AlfornoItalian) February 27, 2019
On the @arrivanortheast #X93 bus to the home of the @BBCR1 #BigWeekend right now - can’t wait to hear the reaction from first time visitors to this area, when they see views like this on the doorstep! @BBCTees #proudofwherewelive 📻🎶🎤😍 pic.twitter.com/7DVTRYSE1E
— John Gelson (@JohnGelson) February 27, 2019
With @BBCR1's #BigWeekend coming to Middlesbrough, it's time for the "which celebrity can we get to eat a parmo?" game.
— Oven Restaurant Middlesbrough (@ovenboro) February 27, 2019
Our money's on one of The 1975. 😏 pic.twitter.com/MsEJO5squN
How Boro has pulled off the Radio 1 weekend is offit 😂 #UTB #Radio1 #BigWeekend
— Hannah Charlton (@HannahCharlton1) February 27, 2019
Omg we are so hoping to see you ladies. Callum has never seen you girls live before and #bigweekend is right on our doorstep. Fingers crossed for tickets. #teamcallumalopecia pic.twitter.com/bkG5arIdrE
— Amanda Trowsdale (@amanda_trows) February 27, 2019
We can’t wait to see you - we’ll give you a massive Boro welcome! #parmosroundmyhouse https://t.co/iXuKaRz6qe
— Steph McGovern (@stephbreakfast) February 27, 2019
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