Singer's moving connection to Big Weekend park

An artist has described performing at Radio 1's Big Weekend as a "full circle moment" as he spent time as a child in the park where the festival took place after his father died.

Jarki Monno, from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, played on the BBC Introducing stage in Stockwood Park, Luton, on Saturday.

He said: "Me and my family used to come here a lot back in day, long story short my old man passed away when I six years old and in this exact field is where my mum and sister used to do Race for Life and sponsored walks.

"It feels a full circle moment to be back here, I know there are people up there looking down."

BBC Introducing started supporting Monno when he first sent the platform music in 2018.

During his performance on the BBC Introducing stage he dedicated his newest single Charlie to loved ones who "are looking down on us", including a friend who had passed away and had tickets to the festival.

Monno said: "[BBC] Introducing has supported me from my first release and I'm eternally grateful for them to give me this opportunity.

"I'm usually the sort to get caught up in the moment but I'm going to take in every moment of today.

"The little lad 22 years [ago] never would have thought this is where [I would be] but I bet my old man is beaming upstairs."

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