Big Weekend line-up is 'dream come true'

Some of the biggest names in music are coming to Luton.

Chase & Status, Raye and Coldplay will headline Radio 1's Big Weekend at Stockwood Park on the second May Bank Holiday weekend.

The three-day event will also see appearances from Sabrina Carpenter, Olly Alexander and Vampire Weekend.

Is it a good line-up? Students from Barnfield College, external tell the BBC what they think.

Javontae Reid, 18, is currently "doing well" in his second year studying Media.

While he's excited by a lot of the artists on the bill, one stands out above the others.

He said: "Aitch is a big artist in the music industry and him coming to Luton is crazy to me.

"He's kinda big for our generation right now."

Javontae said he "couldn't comprehend" names like Coldplay and Sabrina Carpenter coming to the park down the road from his aunt's house.

"I can't believe it, it's one of my dreams come true, just having a few of my favourite artists come to my town is crazy," he said.

The teenager has already instructed his parents to try and secure him tickets for the Friday.

"I can't abandon this opportunity, I've definitely got to be there."

Zoubair from Luton became a fan of Coldplay after hearing their hit A Sky Full of Stars in the animated film, Sing 2.

The Computing student recalled: "I heard the song and it's very emotional and well sung so it's instant love."

The 17-year-old was sent the line-up by a friend on Instagram.

"My favourite band is Coldplay... It's phenomenal, it was in the calendar as soon as it popped, I need to be there."

This summer the band, fronted by Chris Martin, will play stadia around the world, including the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in June.

Having the band play in Luton, before any of that, was "amazing", according to Zoubair.

He said: "It makes Luton seem very important, it's shining a light on Luton and making us all very proud."

Jayden lives in Luton and is studying Music at Barnfield College.

The 18-year-old grew up listening to R&B and pop and said they were excited to hear it played in the Bedfordshire town.

The Becky Hill fan said they were "definitely going to get tickets" for the event.

Jayden added: "I'm so excited that she's coming, Coldplay as well, I cannot wait."

The Barnfield student also writes their own music and is hoping to one day produce it for release.

"I think this kind of stuff inspires young people like us to get out there and do what they do," Jayden added.

"I thank for them for coming and showing their talent to us."

Media student Amira is hoping to get tickets for two of the days at the festival.

The 16-year-old said she was "over the moon" her favourite artists such as Charlie XCX, Mabel and Raye will be playing in her home town.

"This is a massive opportunity for Luton, it will be put on the map, it will be even bigger after this.

"The fact that Sabrina Carpenter and all these other artists are coming to little old Luton is just mind-blowing."

Amira said it was encouraging that the Big Weekend offered a platform to newer artists, with a stage for BBC Introducing.

"It's giving an opportunity for other artists and they can probably meet the bigger artists as well," she said.

"We can watch them and see if we like them."

Allegra, 16, thinks the announced artists "are all great" but the standout for her was South African-born singer, Kenya Grace.

"I actually was impressed... I love her music, I'm so excited to see her on the Friday," she said.

Kenya Grace will perform on the Radio 1 New Music Stage, one of the many platforms the broadcaster uses to spotlight new talent.

"Her voice is very soft and she's an amazing songwriter," Allegra added.

"I'm excited, I'm really excited, I really want to go see her."

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