Lauren Howell, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

Luvcat have been playing over on the BBC Introducing Stage.

Hotly tipped to be big in 2025, Luvcat had strong support from BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 1 from the beginning.

They have appeared at four festivals in three days! And they opened their set today with new single Lipstick.

The singer is a massive Liverpool FC fan and is sporting their football jacket!

Sarah McEvoy, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

A lovely bit of news here.

Chris Baldwin, Danielle Walker and Craig Walker arrived at Sefton Park one friend short as someone had dropped out at the last minute.

As they were queueing at the gates, they overheard someone who had been hit by online scammers who sold them a fake ticket.

They were more than happy to offer up their spare, one weekend saved!

Claire Bryan, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

Josh, Aimee, Erin, and Karis are lucky enough to be in the New Music tent for Ed Sheeran’s surprise set.

Josh says: “My girlfriend told me Ed was going to be a special guest and I was like 'Get in!'"

Erin adds: “Yeah as soon as I saw it I was like 'Oh my god!'”

Ben Anderson, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

The New Music Stage has now reached capacity for Ed Sheeran’s Secret Set and access is "temporarily paused".

These fans are still hoping to get in though!

Lauren Howell, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

Next up to represent Merseyside on the Introducing Stage is Jetta.

The singer-songwriter said on stage that this is her first live show in four years and she’s "super nervous", but where better to be back on stage again than in Liverpool!

Jasmine DuFraisse and Helen Jones
BBC Radio Merseyside, reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

Before we hear from Myles Smith, let's take a look back at today's surprise gig from Ed Sheeran - which was very popular with the crowd here in Sefton Park.

Morgan Beckers absolutely loved the surprise set by Ed Sheeran earlier this afternoon on the New Music Stage.

“Honestly, I was buzzing," she says. "He’s one of the people I’ve always wanted to see and the crowd was insane."

"The surprise act is always the best one!” she adds.

Elsewhere, Katie and Katy from Liverpool are having the best weekend in Sefton Park.

In their words: “Loving the vibe, meeting people and the best music!”

Claire Bryan, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

Away from the Main Stage and Myles Smith's performance, the team at BBC Radio Merseyside have been getting a glimpse at the Sugababes' stylish ride.

BBC Radio Merseyside’s Kevin Duala snuck onto Sugababes' tour bus!

Driver Rob says: “The Sugababes are nice and chilled, it’s not like a job at all this.”

He says there are a total of 16 beds on the bus.

A Radio Merseyside mug has been traded for some Sugababes merch - a fair deal.

Jenny Coleman, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend

Amongst the - mainly local - crowd, we've spotted some celebrities lurking.

Traitors series three winner Jake Brown was seen enjoying the sun and soaking in the acts.

Alongside him was Freddie Fraser, who was famously betrayed by fellow traitor Charlotte in the recent series.

Thankfully, the pair had no banishments to avoid today - just great acts and sunshine.

No sign of Claudia and her trademark fringe just yet, though.

Lauren Howell, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

As Biffy Clyro make their way off stage, let's catch up on what we've heard from some of you in Sefton Park today.

Leo, Callum, Jacob and Liv say they had been looking forward to the festival for weeks.

“I bought my tickets ages ago,” Jacob tells us. “I'm from Fazakerley so it's not that far for me.

Liv from Aintree and Callum from Anfield said they are both here for the weekend and are excited to see Blossoms and Sam Fender tomorrow.

“It’s been really good so far,” Liv says, adding "the acts are really good and all the staff are lovely".

Merryn Robinson, BBC Radio Merseyside
Reporting from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

DJ James Hype, who grew up on the Wirral, is up next on the Main Stage.

He tells me he used to do cross country runs through the park as a kid.

Fast forward a few years and he’s back — but this time, he’s not chasing a finish line, he’s firing up the Big Weekend crowd

“This is actually really exciting because this is like chaos times 10," he tells me.

“This is the first time that the world is going to see my brand new sync show which is something that we've been putting together for like 12 months," he adds.

Image source, Getty Images

“We've got loads of LED screens, even the DJ booth is made out of LED screens, but the coolest part is that they are all controlled by the decks," Hype says.

He also says he expects the Liverpool crowd to bring it 100%.

“I had my musical education in Liverpool. The first clubs I ever DJ-ed in were in Liverpool, I lived in the city for years.

“I know that the people of Liverpool love dance music and they are going to be bringing the energy.”

Helen Jones, BBC Radio Merseyside
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool

Isobella and Lilly tell BBC Radio Merseyside they are excited for the acts to start.

“I woke up late. She showed up to my house two hours early,” Isobella said.

“It took us like two hours to get ready,” they add.

Lauren Howell
reporting from Radio 1's Big Weekend for BBC Radio Merseyside

Gary Cook, Dad of Miles Temp, is very proud as his son has just opened the BBC Introducing Stage.

“I’m the Dad and I’m the manager… The Dadager is working overtime and loving every minute!”

Later Sefton Park will welcome the likes of Natasha Bedingfield, The Wombats and Biffy Clyro.

The annual three-day music festival will be in Liverpool's Sefton Park this year, starting on Friday.

The centre will boost efforts to conserve wildlife and nature at Hilbre Island off the coast of Wirral.

Jenni and Dave Stancombe attend a donation event highlighting the need for more blood for emergencies.

Police said it was "fortunate" the children, aged 12-13, managed to get out of the building unharmed.

The 1000-capacity super club, Haus Of Fun, will open in Liverpool's Pride district in October.

Step inside the terraced house transformed into a matchday executive lounge for Everton fans.

A 33-year-old man was shot by police in Huyton after a man and woman were found stabbed, the IOPC says.