SOME of the the biggest names in music will be descending on Devon later this year to entertain crowds for BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend.

Breakfast show prsenter Nick Grimshaw announced this morning that Europe's largest free ticketed event will be coming to Exeter on the weekend of May 28 and 29.

Already announced to perform at Powderham Castle are Coldplay, Craig David, Chase and Status, Bring Me The Horizon and Ellie Goulding. 

More artists will be announced soon with ticketing details revealed on 21 March.

Radio 1 and BBC Learning will again produce Radio 1's Academy, which aims to inspire 16 to 19-year-olds in the local area to take the next step in their careers.

It'll include a series of special events in April and May such as radio shows, gigs, masterclasses and Q&As.

Controller of Radio 1 and 1Xtra, Ben Cooper, said: "We've taken Lady Gaga to Carlisle, Taylor Swift to Norwich and now we're taking Chris Martin back home.


"We're very proud to be able to bring such a diverse range of acts to Exeter, where they'll be part of our biggest weekend of the year."

Last year's Big Weekend took place in Norwich with Muse, Taylor Swift and Foo Fighters performing.


Since 2003, the event has travelled around the UK to cities and towns including Derry, Glasgow, Bangor, Sunderland, Maidstone and Dundee.


Radio 1's Big Weekend will be broadcast live on Radio 1, streamed in vision, with highlights on 1Xtra.

All performances will be available to watch on demand on Radio 1's BBC iPlayer channel.