Some of the world’s biggest superstars confirmed for BBC festival in Preston

Pet Shop Boys are heading to Lancashire for Radio 2 in the Park (Picture: Gus Stewart/Redferns)

Rounding out the UK’s festival season, Radio 2 in the Park will return this September with some truly incredible headliners.

From Sting to Snow Patrol, the three-day festival in Preston, Lancashire has pulled out all the stops to attract fans to Moor Park.

This year Friday, September 6, will see a new DJ stage open for a pre-Park party with presenters like Vernon Kay, Scott Mills, and Rylan all joining in.

As for the weekend’s headliners, Sting will take pride of place on Saturday fresh off his 3.0 tour as a newly formed trio spanning both solo music and The Police classics.

Those going for Sunday’s line-up will be treated to Pet Shop Boys singing their greatest hits as well as some new music from album Nonetheless to close out the weekend.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Tuesday, June 4) at 8.15am and will be priced from £59 plus booking fee while the Radio 2 in the Park Pre-Party are slightly cheaper at £30 plus booking fee.

Sting will close Saturday’s festival antics (Picture: Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP)

Jeff Smith, Head of Music for Radio 2, said: ‘Following last year’s incredible Radio 2 in the Park in Leicester, we are delighted to hand the baton to Preston. Only Radio 2 could present another star-studded line up featuring some of the UK and the world’s most loved pop artists from the last six decades performing their biggest songs.

‘We can’t wait to bring the Radio 2 listeners and presenting family together in Preston for an unforgettable weekend of live music.’

After announcing the festival on her show, Zoe Ball said: ‘Our Radio 2 family can’t wait to be back with our listeners dancing and singing our hearts out! We’ve all grown up listening to Pet Shop Boys and Sting, they sure know how to put on a great show so hold tight Preston. We’re going to have a blast.’

Also having revealed some of the line-up, Vernon Kay added: ‘Lancashire!!Birthplace and home of many great things we can be proud of…..but the future is a weekend like no other in Preston.

‘Radio 2 will be adding a huge moment to the history books of Lancashire that the Red Rose can be proud of. The biggest radio station in the UK hosts a party like no other in a county like no other.

‘Bring your dancing boots Preston ‘cause the Gang at Radio 2 are coming to entertain and put big smiles on faces!!’

Saturday, September 7, line-up

After the Pre-Party DJ sets, Saturday will make way for a stellar line-up of throwback stars for Radio 2 in the Park.

Day one will see Sting joined by Sugababes, Snow Patrol, Craig David, Kim Wilde, Pixie Lott, Shaznay Lewis, and Travis.

Icon Craig David will perform on Saturday (Picture: Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

As well as a resurgence from X Factor icon Pixie Lott (Picture: Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

The artists shared their excitement for the upcoming gig, with Sting revealing he’d never actually been to the town before.

‘I’ve never been to Preston in my life, so I’m really looking forward to joining the Radio 2 lineup as the Saturday headliner,’ he said. ‘I want to give a full picture of my entire career.

‘Of course, I will sing Roxanne, Message In A Bottle, and Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, but there will also be some deep cuts as well. We will be a trio on stage which is very flexible, and the songs are strong enough to take them back to their bare essence with no keyboards, no backing vocalists – just me, a guitar player and a drummer.’

Snow Patrol, who recently released new music, said: ‘We’re really excited to perform at Radio 2 in the Park and looking forward to playing in Preston again.

‘We’ve played live shows for Radio 2 many times over the years, in the Piano Room, for Jo Whiley’s Sofa Session, or Jo’s lovely Christmas show at her house, or the big outdoor events in Hyde Park and we always have fun. So it’ll be great to be back on stage with Radio 2 once again. Hopefully, see you there!’

Recently reunited Snow Patrol will be singing their new songs (Picture: Andy Sheppard/Redferns)

The reformed Sugababes – consisting of Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhan Donaghy – added: ‘We are very excited to be performing at Radio 2 in The Park in Preston in September. Can’t wait to see you all down the front.’

‘I’m so excited about appearing at Radio 2 in the Park and coming to Preston with my full band,’ shared Craig David. ‘We’ve got such special memories playing shows in the past for Radio 2 including Piano Room and Radio 2 in Concert.

‘I can’t wait to bring my vibe to Moor Park and everyone listening at home!’

Kim Wilde said: ‘I’m really looking forward to Radio 2 in the Park in September. It’s such a great line-up and it’s so nice to be heading back to Preston – we had a fantastic show there back in 2018.’

The festival will also see the return of Pixie Lott, who has been away from the industry for around a decade now.

She said: ‘It’s been a while since I last performed in Preston and I can’t wait to be back there and performing for the Radio 2 listeners. My first ever gig was with Radio 2 for their Introducing show with Dermot in 2009 and I had the best time, and I’ve no doubt this will be a lot of fun too!’

Shaznay Lewis said: ‘It was an incredible experience to perform for the Radio 2 Piano Room with the BBC Concert Orchestra in February at Maida Vale, and I now can’t wait to perform in Preston for the first time at Radio 2 In The Park!

‘It feels so special to be able to play for the massive Radio 2 audience because Radio 2 was the first station to debut my new album Pages, and a lot of the songs on it. So it feels really fitting to be able to play these songs live for the audience that heard them first.’

Travis’ Fran Healy added: ‘I have changed trains at Preston Station my whole life and always wanted to play a show there so, when Radio 2 invited us to play Radio 2 in the Park, I was over the moon when I found out the location. Can’t wait. See you there, Preston!!’

Sunday, September 8, line-up

For Sunday, fans are being treated to Pet Shop Boys as festival closers following on from Manic Street Preachers and Sister Sledge feat. Kathy Sledge.

Completing the line-up are Paul Heaton, Gabrielle, Shed Seven, Delta Goodrem, and Haircut 100.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe of Pet Shop Boys said: ‘We’re looking forward to our first ever show in Preston and also to headlining this great annual Radio 2 event.’

Manic Street Preachers are headlining before Pet Shop Boys on Sunday (Picture: Shirlaine Forrest/Redferns)

90s babe Gabrielle will also take to the stage (Picture: John Keeble/Getty Images)

Fellow icons Manic Street Preachers added: ‘It’s been 17 years since we played Preston Guildhall – it was a great gig that night and I’m sure it will be again when we return to Preston in September to perform at Radio 2 in the Park.’

Manic Street Preachers, made up of James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore, are one of Wales’ biggest rock exports having sold over 12 million records worldwide.

‘We can’t wait to get lost in music with you in Preston,’ said Sister Sledge’s Kathy. ‘So looking forward to all of the Radio 2 listeners joining us in the park. We Are Family!’

Paul Heaton is set to perform hits from his time with The Housemartins, The Beautiful South, and his solo career, spanning over four decades.

He shared: ‘Much to my shame, it looks like it was back in 1985 with the Housemartins that I last played the glorious Lancastrian town of Preston. What better way to reignite that almost 40-year-old relationship than appearing on the grand stage of Radio 2 in the Park, with its DJs, the live crowd, and its millions of listeners.’

Kathy Sledge will bring Sister Sledge to Preston (Picture: Lorne Thomson/Redferns)

With Paul Heaton also set to perform (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Born To Try hitmaker Delta Goodrem added: ‘I am so excited and honoured to be performing at Radio 2 in the Park this year and come to Preston for the first time! Radio 2 has become a music home for me these past couple years, from the amazing airplay support of my new music to asking me to be part of their Piano Room Month – I am thrilled to continue our journey together on a big stage with everyone.’

90s icon Gabrielle said: ‘I’m thrilled to be performing at Radio 2 In the Park. I’ve always felt so much love from the station and their listeners so I know it’s going to be a very special day!’

‘We are thrilled to be taking part in this year’s Radio 2 in the Park in Preston!’ shared Shed Seven. ‘Get ready for an electrifying performance as we celebrate 30 incredible years of Shed Seven in the sunshine!

‘We can’t wait to bring a bit of Rock n Roll to the party.’

Haircut 100 added: ‘We had an absolute ball performing for Radio 2’s Piano Room last year. Loved every minute of it! We’re chuffed and thankful to be invited to play a full set in Preston at Radio 2 in the Park this September for a live audience, as well as for all the lovely Radio 2 listeners. It’s going to be such a fantastic day!’

All tickets go on sale Tuesday 4 June at 8.15am on the BBC’s website.

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