The first-ever Radio 1 Anthems Live takes place this November in Bradford
BBC Radio 1 is about to crank things all the way up with its first-ever Radio 1 Anthems Live – landing in Bradford this November. Yep, for one mega night only, the station’s most-loved Anthems are jumping off the airwaves and straight onto the stage.
Headlining the madness? Only Busted (get ready to scream like it’s 2003), Tinie Tempah (you KNOW you’ll lose it when ‘Pass Out’ drops), and Pixie Lott (a.k.a. the enduring, quintessential Princess of British pop).
And if that’s not enough, Radio 1’s very own Charlie Hedges will be spinning a massive Dance Anthems mix, while Dean McCullough takes us on a glittery trip through the Pop Anthems vault. Expect wall-to-wall bangers, zero skips.
The big night goes down on Saturday 15 November at Bradford Live. With hosts Charlie, Dean and Lauren Redfern leading the chaos, it’s basically two decades of iconic tracks and unforgettable moments squeezed into one unforgettable party.
Anthems. Legends. Bradford. One night only. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Commenting on their upcoming appearance in Bradford — aka the UK City of Culture 2025 — Busted said: “We are stoked to be playing Radio 1’s first ever Anthems Live up in Bradford this November. It’s anthems right! So we’ll be playing all of the biggest Busted hits for you, we’re talking ‘Year 3000’, ‘Crashed The Wedding’, ‘Air Hostess’, ‘You Said No’, and all the rest of them. It’s gonna be mega. Can’t wait to see you there.”
With Tinie Tempah adding: “I’m really excited to be playing at Radio 1 Anthems in Bradford. Expect bangers upon bangers classic and new!”
Tickets for Radio 1 Anthems Live are available now. More information on the event, tickets, and full terms and conditions can be found on the BBC Radio 1 Anthems Live website.
This exciting new addition to Radio 1’s live music calendar follows the launch of Radio 1 Anthems on DAB+ last week (Friday 12th September). Radio 1 Anthems helps the station’s young listeners to discover and re-discover a wide range of music and artists championed by Radio 1 throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “I’m delighted that we’ll be bringing the very first Anthems Live to Bradford this November as part of the 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations. Radio 1 Anthems is hugely popular amongst our listeners, and it’s fantastic to bring it to life on stage with these iconic artists.
“This year we’ve debuted the Radio 1 Anthems Live Lounge and launched Anthems on DAB+ so to be rounding off an incredible year for the brand with this landmark music event is really exciting!”
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, says: “Our BBC partnership goes from strength to strength with the announcement of BBC Radio 1 Anthems Live coming to Bradford, bringing pop icons to our incredible new venue in the heart of the city. Come along for an unforgettable night of pure unadulterated fun, joy and music with your favourite artists.”
Performances from Radio 1 Anthems Live will be broadcast on Wednesday 19 November at 5pm on Radio 1 Anthems, with highlights across the day on Radio 1.
Bradford City of Culture 2025
Bradford has been named the UK City of Culture for 2025, a title that celebrates its rich diversity, creativity, and history. Known for its unique blend of cultures, thriving arts scene, and strong industrial heritage, Bradford will showcase a year-long programme of events highlighting music, film, theatre, literature, and community-led projects.
As one of the youngest and most diverse cities in the UK, it offers a fresh, dynamic perspective on culture, driven by its people and their stories. The City of Culture status is set to bring significant investment, opportunities for local talent, and an international spotlight on Bradford’s role as a hub of innovation, resilience, and cultural pride.