This week, the BBC announced that it would be hosting this year’s Big Weekend festival at Stockwood Park, right in the heart of Luton town.
Born in Luton and raised just a stone’s throw away from the town’s centre, I must admit that upon hearing the announcement, I was shocked. During my formative years, the town always seemed to lack the lively atmosphere and artistic outlets that many other places offered, leaving me with the perception that Luton was a somewhat redundant place to grow up in. However, the announcement — paired with Luton Town FC’s recent football successes — has marked a pivotal moment in Luton’s history, and has amplified the town’s renewed confidence in fostering creative endeavours.
Since the birth of what we now know as the Big Weekend in the early 2000s, the festival has sought to highlight regions historically overlooked on the big stage. From Sunderland and Carlisle to Middlesbrough and Coventry in recent years, it has brought renowned artists to regions often overshadowed by the country’s major cultural hubs. Nonetheless, Luton deviates from the BBC’s usual selection of large city venues, signifying a bold step towards diversity and cultivation of an inclusive representation of the nation’s socio-cultural makeup.
Better yet, it’s worth noting how the event’s organisers prioritise individuals residing in and around the selected location by implementing geographical weighting. This involves allocating a portion of the 100,000 available tickets for local residents, boosting the festival’s accessibility and visibility beyond thriving centres such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, and so on.
So why has the reaction to Luton becoming part of this illustrious list garnered such feelings of distaste online? Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) in response to the announcement, one user said: “Can’t believe out of everywhere there is in the UK, Big Weekend is in LUTON”, with another asking: “Is it really worth going to Luton?”.
However, cutting through the noise there were glimmers of pleasant surprise. One fan wrote: “Radio 1 Big Weekend coming to Luton, absolutely prompted by our Premier League team’s success. Growing up on Farley Hill Estate, literally spending every waking hour in Stockwood Park, it was unimaginable that this could happen. COYH.”
With a rich history and growing cultural scene, indicated by live music venues such as the Hat Factory, The Bear Club, and The Black Horse, the town often finds itself battling against persistent misconceptions that have, unfortunately, clouded its image and perhaps prevented organisers (past and present) from considering the centre as a viable creative centre.
As I connect with people in my newly adopted home of York, I frequently encounter a common misunderstanding about my hometown. It appears that those who have never visited the town simplify it, categorising it merely as an industrial centre or a transient point en route to other destinations, with little history or narrative.
Yet, the evolving landscape of the town is nuanced, with Luton showcasing a rich array of cultures, a robust sense of local identity and pride, and a steadily growing music scene. Furthermore, the ascent of Luton Town FC to the Premier League in May of last year has significantly contributed to the town’s heightened prominence at the national level, feeding into a wider feeling that the town is at a turning point in how it is portrayed and considered in the mainstream.
Discussing the anticipated impact of the weekend festival, Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, Leader of Luton Council, said: “Not only will this event give a multi-million-pound boost to Luton’s economy and provide opportunities for local young people and businesses, with tens of thousands in attendance and millions tuning in across the BBC, it gives us an opportunity to step forward and showcase the very best of our ambitious, brilliantly vibrant, wonderfully diverse, and transforming town.”
Like many, I’m excited to see Luton in the spotlight, and look forward to seeing the social and economic impact of this event on my hometown. However, it’s crucial not to view this announcement merely as another addition to the annual events roster. Instead, we should recognise it as a symbol of a wider culture shift and appreciation for the art that exists in the underrepresented corners of our country. While it’s customary to flock to larger cities for glimpses of our favourite artists, the wake of this announcement should ultimately encourage us to think about how we can support and nurture the music scenes that flourish closer to home.
The festival will take place between May 24 and 26. Details on the lineup and how to secure tickets are due to follow in the coming weeks.
Words by Ruby Brown
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