Radio 1 Big Weekend 2024 Luton
It has brought a bounce to Luton that I hope continues to reverberate.
Sometimes I get surprised by what captures me and the latest is the Radio 1 Big Weekend in Luton.
It started about 3 weeks ago when I saw a sign telling me that the car park I use to ‘Park and Walk’ was being commandeered for the Big Weekend. Almost all the car parks had been taken over in Stockwood Park so another parking place wasn’t easy to find. I did find one. I was surprised that a road I have gone up and down many times yielded discoveries. While driving I would always notice the tree-lined road however walking it brought an even greater sense of wellbeing. I also noticed attractive homes.
Posters began to adorn the lamp posts heralding the acts to be performed.
Then ‘that something’ caught me. I could feel the anticipation of the event. It reminded me of the excitement experienced in the lead-up to Christmas. Psychologically, that felt good; if it was good for me, it must be good for the town.
Luton reminds me of Northern Ireland (NI) in some ways. One of which is people ‘talk it’ down. NI has probably come out of that era but when I lived there it didn't have a great reputation. They may not have great reputations but I know there is a truth to the places that go beyond a general perception.
The Big Weekend showcases Luton to those who participate and those who watch on screen. It has brought a bounce to Luton that I hope continues to reverberate.
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