BBC Introducing acts to watch at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Musicians from the North East will be among those showcasing their talents at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Sunderland

Teams around England promote their local artists through BBC Introducing and some of those acts have been chosen to perform at Herrington Country Park in May.

Here are the North East acts we recommend you should have on your radar.

Born and raised in Newcastle, 22-year-old Ellie Scougall is cutting her teeth in the city's underground club scene.

Her love of dance music and high-energy sets is turning heads, with DJ performances built around a distinctive selection of house, garage and anything else uplifting and groovy.

Despite a classical background, playing piano and violin throughout her school years, she discovered electronic dance music at 13, drawn to artists such as Avicii, Martin Garrix and DJ Sammy.

With younger parents who shared a love of Ibiza classics and collected Ministry of Sound CDs, she quickly became infatuated with club culture and nightlife.

She now runs her own podcast series, Inside the USB, and has an exciting release schedule ahead.

Catching the attention of promoters across Newcastle and beyond, she has gone on to support some of her biggest inspirations, including Gorgon City and D.O.D.

Sorley's sound is driven by infectious grooves, weighty basslines, sharp vocal hooks and signature stabs.

Born into a family immersed in music, rhythm and groove, his foundations were set early. His father was a key member of late-90s collective Unique 3, whose influence shaped Sorley's ambitions.

Hailing from Sunderland, Sorley's DJ career began with the founding of hometown club night HAZE.

The night quickly grew into a recognised platform, with Sorley booking and performing alongside international artists including Nic Fanciulli, Heidi and Deetron, as well as Patrick Topping, Solardo, Dense & Pika and Roger Sanchez.

Full of energy, down to earth and refreshingly direct, DJ and producer Max Jones continues to rise through the ranks with his genre-bending, high-impact sets.

Based in Middlesbrough, he blends tech house and techno with underground textures and old-school influences, delivering performances packed with variation and technical skill.

His sound has caught the attention of major artists and promoters, leading to a win at the What Hannah Wants DJ Search Competition and a support slot on her tour.

He has since appeared on line-ups alongside David Morales, Jamie Jones, MK, Low Steppa, Ferreck Dawn, The Shapeshifters, Sam Divine, Ben Hemsley and most recently supporting Fatboy Slim during the Brits opening week.

With a radio residency and appearances at clubs and festivals across the UK and Europe, he shows no signs of slowing down.

Finn Forster is an emerging British artist firmly on the rise.

With strong BBC support, he has had a Track of the Week consideration on BBC Radio 1, completed a BBC Introducing Maida Vale session and been playlisted on BBC Radio 2.

In 2025, he supported Stereophonics on their European arena tour and UK stadium dates, as well as joining JADE for BBC Proms.

He has also opened for The K's and Bastille, played Reading and Leeds Festival with BBC Introducing, opened Kendal Calling's main stage, and appeared at Truck, Latitude, The Great Escape, SXSW Austin and Reeperbahn.

An advocate for arts and culture in his hometown, he hails from Middlesbrough. His songwriting is rooted in honesty, pairing anthemic melodies with stories drawn from his own experiences.

Drawing from influences such as Kate Bush, Nick Cave, Fiona Apple and Rufus Wainwright, Imogen and the Knife creates a world rich with atmosphere and intrigue.

Hailing from Newcastle, her music moves between rhythmic swells, brooding orchestral arrangements and the haunting intimacy of piano and vocal performances.

Imogen uses "the Knife" as a symbol of reclamation, transforming a recurring motif from her life into a conduit for artistic expression.

With new music on the horizon and a powerful live band behind her, Imogen and the Knife steps into a bold new chapter, crafting songs that linger long after the final note.

Swindled are a five-piece indie-pop band from Sunderland, bursting with storytelling lyricism and earworm melodies.

Their songs shine a light on the realities of growing up as teenagers in a band, capturing both the highs and the growing pains.

On stage, Swindled are known for their synchronised choreography and relentless energy, delivering slick, stylish live shows with a touch of flair.

Hailing on to the scene last year, they have already progressed rapidly and were picked to be a BBC Introducing Ones to Watch for 2026.

At just 21, Tom A. Smith has already achieved milestones many artists spend years chasing.

He played his first gig at eight years old, supporting Detroit Social Club at Newcastle's The Cluny, and played Glastonbury before even starting secondary school.

Handpicked by Tim Burgess from The Charlatans to perform on his stage at Kendal Calling, he became the festival's youngest ever performer.

He has played alongside Sam Fender at The Tynemouth Surf Café and supported Catfish and the Bottlemen, James Bay, The Lathums and The Mysterines.

Heidi Curtis is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter from North Shields in North Tyneside.

With an urgent and authentic sound, she fronts a tight live band driven by her powerful, emotionally charged vocals. Her songs explore themes of love and loss, delivered with clarity and conviction.

Over the past six years, she has honed her craft from grassroots venues to sold-out support slots with Sam Fender, Paul Weller, Ben Howard, Paolo Nutini, Inhaler and The Snuts across the UK and Europe.

In June 2024, she performed a haunting rendition of Blaydon Races for Newcastle United and Adidas' award-winning home kit launch campaign.

Able Jack, born Oberuomo Marvel, is an emerging artist from Delta State, Nigeria, now based in Sunderland.

Despite a challenging upbringing, he found direction through music and pursued it with determination.

His debut track World Best introduced his raw talent, followed by releases such as Wavy and El Chapo, showcasing his versatility and distinct sound.

With compelling live performances and a strong work ethic, he is carving out his own lane and inspiring others to do the same.