Radio 1's Big Weekend extended by extra day

Lead singer of the White Lies Harry McVeigh performs at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Swindon (GETTY IMAGES)

Radio 1's Big Weekend just got bigger - with an extra day of music at the event which is being held in Londonderry this year.

This year's concert, which will stretch over three days rather than the usual two, is heading to the Northern Irish city to coincide with it being named the UK's City of Culture.

Two acts, Olly Murs and Two Door Cinema Club, have been announced so far for the event which will kick off on Friday May 24.

Jason Carter, who is in charge of live music at BBC Radio 1, said: "The last Big Weekend in the city in 2004 was a legendary music moment in Northern Ireland, and it's so great to be able to return with an even bigger show second time around.

"The concerts will be almost twice the capacity of the previous visit, and for the very first time, the event will run across three days. I have no doubt it will be a spectacular weekend of music in the heart of the city."

The city's mayor Kevin Campbell said: "The Radio 1 Big Weekend event in 2004 was a huge event for the city and region and we are delighted that Radio 1 has decided to come back to Derry and bring some of the world's top performing artists to be part of our City of Culture celebrations.

"The return of Europe's biggest free ticketed music event is a huge coup for the city and we are hugely excited about it."

The Big Weekend, which will be based in Ebrington Square, will also be shown live on BBC3.

PA