Festival plan on hold to avoid Big Weekend clash
BBCPlans for a major music festival in Newcastle have been shelved to avoid clashing with BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in nearby Sunderland, councillors have been told.
Custodians of Newcastle's Town Moor had earmarked the weekend of 22 May for an event, possibly the return of LooseFest which was last held in 2024, but said it would not take place as Big Weekend was being held then at Herrington Park.
About 80,000 music lovers are set to descend on Wearside for the free three-day event, which was previously held in Sunderland in 2005.
David Wilson, chairman of the Freemen of Newcastle, told Newcastle City Council an event would instead be planned for 2027.
"It is not operationally or economically viable to hold an event in conflict with the Big Weekend," he said.
The freemen are responsible, alongside Newcastle City Council, for the management and upkeep of the Town Moor.
LooseFest was last held on the moor in August 2024 and featured the likes of Ronan Keating and Peter Andre, the event having been called off at the last minute the previous year due to flooding.
It was also announced recently that almost £1m is expected to be put towards hosting the Big Weekend by North East mayor Kim McGuinness and Sunderland City Council, part of which will be used on improving transport links and accessibility infrastructure around the country park.
The money will also be used to organise a week-long fringe festival across the region, with a schedule of free and ticketed events to reach audiences around the North East and put a spotlight on local talent, as well as masterclasses to promote careers in music and the wider creative industries, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
