Acclaimed Artist Of The Year Boo To Open BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend Main Stage

Talented Teesside DJ Boo is to open the main stage on Friday at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend after securing the biggest gig of her growing career.

As one of our Tees Valley Artists of the Year, she opened the Big Weekend Dance Stage in 2025.

And now the innovative electronic musician known for producing, singing, writing, and composing every element of her work, has now gone one step further and will kick off the action on the main stage in Sunderland this week.

Boo said: “I’m beyond excited to be playing the main stage at the BBC Big Weekend.

“I’ve spent the last year in the studio song-writing and developing my production, the support from TVCA has been invaluable to my development and I’m now in a position to develop a live show with my new music.”

The Big Weekend appearance also comes after Boo recently announced the launch of a new electronic music programme for budding Teesside-based DJs and producers.

The Electronic Music Accelerator is running from May through October – and the initiative will support artists of all levels and aims to back those looking to develop their careers within the industry.

The artist-led project features monthly DJ and music production workshops led by Boo alongside fellow artist Ben Prophet. It is delivered in collaboration with the Sonic Futures programme, funded by Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Boo will be joined at the event by fellow Tees Valley Artist of the Year Finn Forster who will take to the BBC Introducing Stage on Sunday.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Boo and Finn are fantastic examples of the world-class talent we have here on Teesside.

“It’s great to see Boo’s star rising, and to see both of them performing on such a huge national stage is something we can all be proud of.

“We’re backing our creative industries to grow, giving local artists the support they need to build careers and take Teesside’s sound to the world.”

Launched in 2024 Tees Valley Artists of the Year, is delivered by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, which sees five trailblazing artists backed with a £28,000 investment and alongside industry mentoring and tailored business support.

The Big Weekend will be held in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland from Friday, 22 May to Sunday, 24 May.