- Work Hard
- 15th May 2026
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Meet Niamh: The North East DJ and producer set to perform at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend
Radio 1’s Big Weekend lands in Sunderland next weekend, and among the 100+ acts performing across three days at Herrington Country Park, North East DJ and producer Niamh Ingram is set to take to the stage.
A Reprezent Radio resident and Rinse FM regular, Northallerton-born Niamh has built a real reputation in the UK electronic scene – playing Boiler Room (twice), Parklife, The Warehouse Project and Corsica Studios, sharing line-ups with Kettama, Evian Christ, Mall Grab and Mella Dee. Her sound is deep, immersive and entirely her own.
But what makes this booking special is the story behind it. Niamh has spent years championing the North East’s place in the electronic music conversation – through her podcast Belta, spotlighting regional creatives, and her radio show Into The Deep platforming Northern artists. She’s been loud and proud about where she’s from, and relentless about bringing others up with her.
Now, on Friday 22nd May, she takes the BBC Introducing stage in her own backyard – following in the footsteps of a festival that last visited Sunderland in 2005, when Foo Fighters and Gwen Stefani headlined Wearside. Two decades on, with Fatboy Slim, Fisher and MK headlining Friday, the North East is back in the spotlight. And so is Niamh.
HIGH LIFE NORTH’S TOP TIP: Here’s everything you need to know about Radio 1 Big Weekend next weekend.
PLAYING BBC RADIO 1 BIG WEEKEND – WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU, ESPECIALLY AS A NORTH EAST ARTIST?
It means a huge deal. The BBC is so recognised by people who aren’t engaged in the music industry – family and friends who mightn’t understand the significance of other gigs. Everyone grasps how incredible it is that BBC Radio 1 have asked you to play at their biggest festival. It’s sentimental on a personal level, and it’s also just lovely to know they appreciate and understand the art I create.
AND THE FACT IT’S IN SUNDERLAND – IN YOUR OWN REGION?
We have a saying: shy bairns get nowt. I live by that. I’m actually extremely introverted, but when it comes to the music industry, I’ve always had a fire that I deserve to take up space and that people from the North East deserve to take up space. If getting into spaces like BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend results in more eyes on me, those eyes will see me constantly wittering on about North East talent. And hopefully those eyes will shift onto that talent too.
FOR ANYONE DISCOVERING YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME AT RADIO 1’S BIG WEEKEND, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND?
I always say my DJ sets are an exploration into the deep and all the way back again. We’ll go all over the place, but we’ll do it beautifully. You’ll lock in — we’re not about big buildups and big drops here. We want to take our sweet time, have a lovely ride. I get so immersed in the music. It’s a giving and receiving experience with the people dancing — a very beautiful, sensory thing.
YOU’VE PLAYED SOME SERIOUS ROOMS – BOILER ROOM, THE WAREHOUSE PROJECT, PARKLIFE. ANY MOMENT THAT STILL GIVES YOU CHILLS?
The first time I played The Warehouse Project last September stands out. I was opening for Spray, Peach and DJ Heartstring, and towards the end of my set the room was absolutely packed. I played Mylo’s ‘Drop The Pressure’ and there’s a video where you can see me having a lovely time, the crowd dancing with no phones, Spray about to come on, having a great time – all of us just locked in together, solely focused on the music. And then I had the oh shit, I’ve just played The Warehouse Project thought. BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend is going to bring one of those moments too. I can feel it.
REPRESENTATION OF THE NORTH EAST IS A BIG PART OF YOUR STORY. WHERE DOES THAT PASSION COME FROM?
I’ve been in a lot of situations where I’ve been the only person from the North, or the North East, and been made to feel somewhat othered – and I don’t like that. So I got loud and proud about being from up here, and loud and proud about the incredible music culture that exists in this region.
Events like BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend coming to Sunderland – and Middlesbrough before that – really put a national spotlight on local talent and local scenes. We need to continuously look beyond our usual bubbles, whether that’s London, Manchester, anywhere. Creative talent exists everywhere, and the North East has it in abundance.
WHO FROM THE REGION SHOULD BIG WEEKEND CROWDS BE CHECKING OUT?
A non-exhaustive list: Boo, Ben Prophet, DADs, Man Power, Josh Bell, Jacklyn, Alousea, Becky Woodcock, ROSIE. There are a few to get you started.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO ELECTRONIC MUSIC IN THE FIRST PLACE?
My parents were very much in and around Manchester during the Haçienda days, so I grew up with electronic music woven in – my mam used to blast ‘Lola’s Theme’ in the car from when I was tiny. I started playing violin at four and eventually discovered the electronic violin, which I thought was incredible. DJing itself came later, organically, through my writing and journalism about electronic music. My Grandad used to make me little CD mixtapes which I cherished. All of it fed into the same love. I picked up some decks, and the rest is history.
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER BBC RADIO 1’S BIG WEEKEND?
I’ve just released Opposite Commute and I have plenty more tracks in the locker that I’m so excited to share very soon. Beyond that it’s a big summer – Parklife, Lost Village and some very exciting shows, including one in North Shields for a brilliant new event called Hathor. A little seafront gallivant. But first, Sunderland. I genuinely cannot wait.
Niamh Ingram plays BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland on Friday 22nd May. Her new track ‘Opposite Commute’ is out now on La Bonne Musique.
Make sure to follow Niamh on Instagram, Soundcloud and TikTok for new tracks and updates.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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