Radio 2 in the Park | |
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Genre | Adult contemporary |
Dates | September |
Location(s) |
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Years active | 2011–present |
Attendance | 45,000 |
Website | www |
Radio 2 in the Park (formally known as Radio 2 Live, Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park and Radio 2's Festival in a Day) is a British music festival organised by BBC Radio 2. It took place from 2011 to 2019 in Hyde Park in London and in 2017, the attendance was 45,000.[1] Following two cancelled years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in June 2022, the corporation announced that the festival would be moving away from London, with the 2022 festival set to be held over two days at Temple Newsam Park in Leeds however, it was cancelled following the death of Elizabeth II.[2] The festival returned in 2023 as Radio 2 in the Park live from Leicester. In April 2024 it was announced that the event would take place in Preston, Lancashire.
The idea behind the event was for music fans who enjoy live music but are not comfortable with the idea of a full multi-day festival to be able to experience the variety of artists and the atmosphere that such a festival would offer, without the associated necessities such as camping. The festival is designed to appeal to the over 35 demographic that makes up the majority of Radio 2 listeners, although the event attracts fans of all ages. The line-up is compiled of the various adult contemporary music and specialist genres featured on Radio 2, including folk, country, soul, rock and jazz. The festival was hosted by Chris Evans and later Jo Whiley alongside other Radio 2 presenters and is broadcast live on the station and streamed on the BBC Red Button.[citation needed]