Craig David and Sting took to the stage on Saturday (September 7) as Radio 2 in the Park, in Preston, officially got underway.

More than 35,000 festival goers today were entertained as Craig David performed a new song, Pixie Lott and Rylan sang a  duet, the Sugababes wowed spectators.

Sting closing the show with a powerful performance of Roxanne. 

Travis kicked-off Saturday’s festival with a bang with a set featuring a full brass band ensemble cover of Aztec Camera’s Somewhere In My Heart.

Shaznay Lewis captivated the audience with an outstanding cover of George Michael’s Freedom as well as All Saints tracks.  

 Pixie Lott’s set featured a cover of Shaboozey’s A Bar Song (Tipsey), as well as a surprise duet with Radio 2’s very own Rylan on Cry Me Out. Ahead of his headline set, Sting watched her performance from the side of stage.

 Craig David took to the stage and performed a new song exclusively for the Radio 2 crowd. Craig belted out In Your Hands for the first time in front of a cheering audience. 

 Kim Wilde performed fan favourites, including Hangin’ On, Kids in America, and Chequered Love.  

 Snow Patrol got the audience cheering along to Chasing Cars, Open Your Eyes, and more.  

 Then the Sugababes wowed spectators with a stunning performance of Freak Like Me, Push the Button and more, while Pixie Lott was spotted side of stage loving it!

And finally, Sting headlined the whole event – rocking the stage with hits including Message in a Bottle, Roxanne, Englishman in New York, Fields of Gold and more.  It is now available of BBC iPlayer.

Radio 2 in the Park also took a moment to commemorate broadcasting legend Steve Wright with a bespoke video featuring special messages from the Radio 2 presenter family.

 The video, which was played to festival goers featured presenters including Scott Mills, Sara Cox, DJ Spoony, Trevor Nelson, Owain Wyn Evans, Rylan, Tony Blackburn, Bob Harris, Paddy McGuinness and Jeremy Vine – all talking about their fond memories of Steve.  

The video was introduced by Dermot O’Leary and Bob Harris.

Bob Harris, said: “Earlier this year we lost the great Steve Wright. Steve was somebody I met way, way, back in 1977. He loved radio and I’ve got to say through the years he was not only a great inspiration, but a wonderful friend who always wanted to talk about music, loved talking about the radio, particularly the big FM sound in America. He always made me laugh out loud, he was such fun to be with – whether I was with him, together, or whether I heard him on the radio.

 

Dermot said: “I know it sounds like a bit of a cliché, it really is a family at Radio 2. We’re so tight. So, when we lost him, we were devastated. He was so welcoming to me when I joined Radio 2. As Bob says, he was a great friend to I think all of us at Radio 2. He was there for almost 20 years. Like we all loved him. He was so kind to everyone.

“As our colleague Liza Tarbuck said recently, he always made sure you had a better day. We miss Steve a great deal. He’d have found this whole thing so awkward, wouldn’t he. He’d have hated being the centre of attention. But we have put together just a little special something to honour his memory in what would have been his 70th year. Take a look at this.

As well as BBC Introducing artists on the main stage and playing sets in the DJ tent, Radio 2 presenters have been broadcasting live from an on-site studio at Moor Park - which looks out onto thousands of revelers. Shows and sets will be available live and on demand on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer across the weekend and for 30 days afterwards.  

 The Pet Shop Boys will top the bill on Sunday night (8 September). Their headline sets will also be broadcast on BBC Two at 10pm on Sunday. 

  Tickets for Radio 2 in the Park are still available for Sunday (8th September) on the BBC Website.  

 The full Sunday line-up is: 

• Pet Shop Boys 

• Manic Street Preachers

 • Sister Sledge feat

 • Kathy Sledge 

• Paul Heaton 

• Gabrielle

• Shed Seven 

• Delta Goodrem 

• Haircut 100 

 DJ Stage

• DJ Spoony's Good Groove

• Gary Davies' Sounds of the 80s

• Michael Ball’s Broadway Bangers

• Paddy McGuinness’ Sunday School Disco

 • Sara Cox's Wower Hour

• Trevor Nelson's Rhythm Nation

• Vernon Kay's Dance Sounds of the 90s

Radio 2 in the Park runs from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September in Moor Park, Preston. Tickets still available for Sunday at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2inthepark. Watch the performances on BBC iPlayer and listen on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. Sting’s headline set was on BBC Two, now available on BBC iPlayer, and Pet Shop Boys headline set is on BBC Two on Sunday at 10pm.