BBC Radio 2 in the Park: A star-studded line up that won’t be forgotten anytime soon
BBC’s Radio 2 in the Park made its way to Stirling this year and brought a star-studded line up with them.
Crowds from across the country and wider danced and sang to throwback hits all weekend long with some new tracks sprinkled in, watching legends like Simple Minds, Deacon Blue, and The Script perform their most loved songs.
A pre-party DJ line up kept the festival goers entertained on Friday, September 11 before Texas opened up the main stage on Saturday afternoon.
The crowd rushed around the stage to hear the Scottish band’s hits such as Say What You Want, Summer Son, and Inner Smile, and stayed for the charming banter Sharleen Spiteri provided. Despite not being on stage for around a year, the band slipped right back into performing and brought a huge presence and energy with ease.
Following the Glaswegian rock band was a glamorous Lulu, treating the audience to Shout and The Man with the Golden Gun. She spoke to the crowd like they were old friends, and kept the party going for Jack Savoretti.
BBC Radio 2 listeners may be familiar with his work, and he emotionally thanked the crowd for sticking around to hear his set.
During breaks between artists, the audience often broke up to visit one of the many attractions on site or carry on partying at the DJ tent where the likes of Gary Davies, Jo Whiley, and Vernon Kay were performing.
80s legends ABC took back the main stage where a sea of people in animal print, sequins, and bold bright patterns came to throw their best shapes.
Emeli Sandé’s Clown had people grabbing whoever was closest to them to sway along before The Script came on next with a phenomenal selection of hits including Hall of Fame and The Man Who Can’t Be Moved (and a daring walk through the crowd).
Chaka Khan closed the Saturday night line up with Ain’t Nobody after bringing Alexandra Burke on stage for I’m Every Woman.
Sunday opened with another Scottish act as Deacon Blue gathered a roaring crowd with hits like Real Gone Kid and Dignity. Appleton, Cast, and Blue followed, holding the crowd’s attention and keeping everyone moving before James Blunt brought a sombre set to Stirling. Despite the change in mood, the audience was locked in place for Blunt’s performance as the artist joked about his abundance of sad songs before he surfed along the crowd in an inflatable orange dinghy - from which he soon fell overboard.
Level 42 were the penultimate act and basked in the low sunshine while the crowd grooved along to Lessons in Love, Back to 1984, and Something About You. Their clear love for performing translated to the audience who had smiles plastered on their glitter-covered faces throughout the set.
Scottish legends Simple Minds closed the weekend. This was their first performance in Stirling in 50 years and they gave it their all to the thousands of gig-goers who were standing in the breezy night with muddy wellies to catch a glimpse of the band in the flesh. Jim Kerr captivated the audience with each lyric, the crowd stood still to hang on to every word he said and vibrated with cheers to egg the band on.
Between hits like Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) and Waterfront, Cherisse Osei played a rocking drum solo before the band formally introduced themselves. Belfast Child brought a change of pace to their set as they slowed the crowd down before ramping them up again with Don’t You (Forget About Me), Alive and Kicking. Sanctify Yourself closed the act alongside a display of fireworks and deafening applause.