Radio 2 in the Park: Leicester to host live BBC music event at Victoria Park

Leicester is getting set to host a huge music festival this weekend.

The BBC's flagship Radio 2 live music event - Radio 2 in the Park - will take place at the city's Victoria Park on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 of September.

The concert will be the network’s first flagship event since Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park in 2019, which featured performances from Pet Shop Boys, Westlife and Clean Bandit among others.

Travel routes to and from Victoria Park are set to be busy, so attendees are encouraged to leave in good time to get there.

All you need to know:

Where is it taking place?

Radio 2 in the Park will take place at Victoria Park on Saturday 16 September, from 1-9:45pm, and Sunday 17 September, from 12:30-9:15pm.

Gates open at 11am on both days.

Full line up:

Saturday 16 September:

Tears For Fears, Gary Davies Sounds Of The 80s DJ Set, Bananarama, Texas, James Blunt, Deacon Blue, Beverley Knight, Busted, Soft Cell.

Sunday 17 September:

Kylie Minogue, Rylan and Scott (DJ Set), Pretenders, Shalamar, Rick Astley, Jessie Ware, Lemar, Sam Ryder, Simply Red.

How old do I need to be to attend?

With the exception of children aged two years and under, everyone attending the event will need a valid ticket.

Children under 18 are not permitted unless accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Are there any tickets left to buy?

The event is sold out, but a small number of resale tickets could be available via Ticketmaster. The advice is to only book through this official site and don't fall for third party scams.

How to travel to Radio 2 in the Park?

Ticketholders are advised to also make use of the dedicated park-and-ride services organised by the BBC.

Leicester's free Hop! bus will be running an extended service during the event, with buses running every 10 minutes until the last departure from Haymarket Bus Station at 10.30pm on Saturday.

There are two free bike parks at the event located within Victoria Park at the Memorial and at Green Gate, but bring a padlock - and cyclists are told to leave at their own risk.

There is also a dedicated Taxi drop off zone on University Road, accessed via Regent Road.

Road closures which will be in place

• Regent Road (between Granville Road and Salisbury Road) will be closed from 6am on Saturday until 11.59pm on Sunday.

• Regent Road (between Tigers Way and University Road) will be one-way only eastbound from 6am on Saturday until 11.59pm on Sunday.

• Granville Road will be closed from 6am on Saturday until 11.59pm on Sunday.

• London Road (between Mayfield Road and Waterloo Way) will be closed from 9pm until midnight on both Saturday and Sunday.

• Victoria Park Road (between St Marys Road and St Leonards Road) will be closed from 9pm until midnight on both Saturday and Sunday.

• University Road will be one-way only southbound from 6am on Saturday until 11.59pm on Sunday.

Where can I park my car for the event?

There is strictly no parking in the roads surrounding Victoria Park to event ticket holders. These areas are restricted to permit parking only and any vehicles without a permit will be fined and could be towed.

Bookable car parking spaces are available in locations that are a short walk from the event site. You must pre-book and spectators are advised to book as quick in advance.

Are there any tickets reserved for locals?

30% of general admission tickets will be reserved for purchase for residents within the Leicestershire area.

Earlier this year, Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: "I’m thrilled to officially announce that Leicester will host this year’s Radio 2 in the Park, our much-anticipated live music weekender.

"We hope it will bring together music lovers from across the nation - whether joining us in Leicester or tuning in wherever they are - with our brilliant family of Radio 2 presenters sharing all the infectious energy of the event on and off stage."

Leicester's City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, said: "We’re very excited to be welcoming Radio 2 in the Park to Leicester this summer.

"Victoria Park has a proud tradition of hosting these big events and they are always a tremendous boost to the area."

During the pandemic in 2020, Radio 2 Live At Home brought performances including Sheryl Crow in California, Erasure in the UK and New York, The Killers on the Caesars Palace roof in Las Vegas, John Legend in LA, and Craig David, Sir Tom Jones, and McFly in the UK.

Radio 2 Live in 2021 featured Manic Street Preachers in Cardiff, Steps in Manchester, Westlife in Belfast and Texas in Glasgow each performing in front of a small, socially-distanced audience. Radio 2 Live in Leeds in 2022 was cancelled as a mark of respect following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

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