SWANSEA, UK (Radio 1) - Thousands of pop fans at the first date of
Radio 1's One Big Sunday tour in Swansea have been delighted by a scintillating
Destiny's Child performance to open the concert.
The free concert also includes Pop Idol stars Gareth Gates and Will Young, Mis-teeq, UK hip hop artist Black Twang, Welsh nu-metal band Lostprophets, and Brit rockers A.
Despite heavy rain on Saturday night, the crowds were turning up regardless at Sunday lunchtime. And they were well rewarded as Destiny's Child sauntered on stage with a chic latin look, sporting designer jeans and lacy tops.
The sexy American three-piece got the crowd going as they ran through their catalogue of hits, including Independent Woman, Bootylicious and Survivor. And there was even time to showcase new family talent as lead singer Beyonce's sister performed a track in front of a delighted audience at Morfa fields.
But the girls could not hang around to enjoy the rest of the show as they were ushered off stage and straight onto their coach. They were then whisked away to another concert, along with their large entourage of bouncers and security men.
After Black Twang, A played a blinding set of Starbucks and Something's Going On.
The biggest roar of the day was reserved for Will Young. The Pop Idol winner had earlier admitted he was slightly nervous about appearing in front of so many people. "I wish you hadn't told me there were 70,000 people here" he said
But there was no sign of nerves as he launched into his chart-topping hit Evergreen.
Will's Pop Idol pal Gareth Gates then took over and also got a monster cheer from the crowd. The spiky-haired songster performed Unchained Melody and Anyone of Us, before Will returned to delight his fans with his version of Light My Fire.
Meanwhile, host Jamie Theakston, who was running between the stage and the hospitality tent to check on the Republic of Ireland's progress in the World Cup, said he thought the day was a great success.
In between updating the crowd and crew of the Ireland score, he said it was "pretty exhilarating" being on stage in front of tens of thousands of people. "I think Destiny's Child was the one people were really waiting for" he said. "But I've been looking forward to seeing local band Lostprophets, who I really like."
Rockers
Theakston did not have long to wait, as Lostprophets, originally from Pontypridd, came on after Will Young, to play their monster hit Fake Sound of Progress and Shinobi.
The NME Brats winners had been particularly looking forward to perfoming on the same bill as fellow rockers A. "We will just play and have a laugh - the locals will probably throw mud at us" they said.
Hosted by Jamie Theakston, Sara Cox and Tim Westwood, the Swansea gig was the first of Radio 1's four special One Big Summer mini-festivals.
