Pink slices, pints in Greens Tavern and loads of shout outs as Radio 1 broadcasts live from Sunderland

There was much anticipation as the Radio 1 mobile studio rolled into Keel Square yesterday, with presenter Greg James going on to present this morning’s Breakfast Show live from the city ahead of Big Weekend heading to Herrington Country Park from May 22-24.

It was expected we’d be getting a lineup announcement for the big calendar date, but there was no hint as to who is performing for the return of the festival to the city after it first played the park in 2005, with performances by the likes of Foo Fighters and Black Eyed Peas.

Instead, as part of Jan Slam, which sees the station give away prizes every day this month, Big Weekend tickets were given away on the show, with more tickets hidden at locations across the city at locations such as Penshaw Monument and Sunderland Empire.

There was a handful of lucky winners, but there’s been no general tickets released yet.

“We throw everything at Big Weekend,” said Greg, who hung out at Greens Tavern in Low Row and Spice Empire the night before the broadcast. “We love going to a new place every year and hanging out with you all.”

Greg praised the £2 pints in Greens Tavern multiple times and as he interviewed Mackems over the course of the show, other local businesses got a shout out, including Port Independent for their coffee and culture, Keel Tavern, Ship Isis, The Canny Lad, Diego’s, Bridge Hotel Vaults and Sheepfolds Stables.

He was also given a pink slice from a listener, which they bought at Grinder in New Durham Road, with the DJ sharing the slice on his social media and referencing Sunderland’s signature snack many times throughout the broadcast.

While we still don’t know the artist lineup, what we do know is that over the course of the Big Weekend, around 100 acts will perform - from the biggest names in music to exciting new and emerging artists.

With around 80,000 fans expected to attend, the weekend promises to be one to remember.

The festival will shine a light on the city and the surrounding area as well as providing a major boost to the local economy, with huge demand for tickets ensuring the event sells out almost immediately every year.

Sunderland City Council is working alongside the North East Combined Authority to bring the event to the city.