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BANGOR is abuzz with excitement after yesterday’s announcement that Europe’s largest free music festival was heading to the Faenol.
Radio One’s Big Weekend festival is due to take place at the Faenol Estate on Saturday May 22 and Sunday 23, giving 40,000 local music fans an opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest acts.
In addition the weekend will be preceded by a fringe festival hosted by Huw Stephens, including a number of gigs, events and other attractions.
Around 40,000 tickets will be made available to music fans across the UK in a special online lottery, with priority given to North Wales residents.
Jason Carter, editor for live music and events for Radio One, believes Bangor is the perfect choice for the show; he said: “This is the tenth show we’ve put on, the first being in 2003, and there are lots of criteria for where we choose.
“We look to find places where there are lots of young people who are under-served with big acts coming into town.
“If you look back over past shows, we went to Sunderland, not Newcastle, or Preston, not Manchester, so it’s important to give young people the chance.”
Jason also praised the efforts of Gwynedd Council in bringing the event to North Wales.
He added: “Most important is the relationship between ourselves and the local council.
“Back in September, we went out making assessments and it was a gut feeling that we were on the same page.”
The weekend of concerts bring together some of the biggest acts in live music, with such megastars as Madonna, The Prodigy and Foo Fighters performing in recent years.
Council leader Dyfed Edwards was delighted to be bringing one of the UK’s largest music events to North Wales.
He said: “Why do we want it in Bangor - ask young people, and see what it means to them.
“Speaking to them, you can already feel the excitement, the reaction says it all.”
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