Ellie Goulding performed at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, held at Herrington Country Park in Sunderland, where she delivered a set that combined some of her best-known hits with new material and a surprise cover.

During her Main Stage performance on Saturday 23 May, Goulding paid tribute to Justin Bieber by covering his track ‘Daisies’, reworking it into an indie-pop style performance that offered a fresh interpretation of the song.The moment was well received by festival attendees and highlighted her ability to reimagine contemporary pop music within her own artistic style.

Alongside the cover, Goulding used the set to debut a brand-new track titled ‘Black Prada Dress’, which she had been teasing since earlier in the year.

The performance marked a significant moment for fans, as it offered an early live glimpse of her forthcoming material following a period without a full studio album since 2023’s ‘Higher Than Heaven’.She also included a personal moment in the set, giving a heartfelt shoutout to her son Arthur, who was watching her perform live for the first time.

The appearance forms part of Goulding’s ongoing return to live performance and new music promotion, following recent singles such as ‘Save My Love’ with Marshmello and ‘Destiny’.In interviews, she has discussed a more liberated and honest approach to songwriting, emphasising creative freedom and emotional openness.

Her Big Weekend set also placed her alongside a diverse line-up including Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Fatboy Slim, Louis Tomlinson, Zara Larsson, Niall Horan and CMAT, reinforcing the festival’s broad pop and contemporary music appeal.