Jo Blogs at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Kelly surprised us all by joining Nelly on stage to perform Dilemma - I caught a glimpse of her backstage and she looked fabulous! Check it out...

I caught colin Murray chatting to The Wombats backstage giving them some advice on how to perform!

Greg decided to set up a rival hospitality tent to the ones backstage - offering...a paddling pool and absolutely nothing else at all. See how the crowds flock to enjoy Greg's hospitality...

Here's tonight's headliners taking it easy before their show - bringing their own refreshments, no less. This band are always brilliantly generous with their spoils which in the past I have frequently taken advantage of...

Here's tonight's headliners taking it easy before their show - bringing their own refreshments, no less. This band are always brilliantly generous with their spoils which in the past I have frequently taken advantage of...

There was one band that I really wanted to meet this weekend - been a big fan for a while and got to see their show first thing today - they had the biggest crowd I've seen so far on the INMWT stage and the crowd went freaky deaky for them right from the beginning. They were watched side of stage by pretty much every band and Radio 1 DJ. Here they are minus a lead singer.

And here's where the bands spend their time before their gigs - just like the mobile classrooms at school! Not exactly swanky...

Bumped into Abi from the Zutons making a cuppa to calm her nerves ahead of their show - you forget just how scary it is doing an event like this!

Thought I'd show you what the interior of Pigeon Detectives' crib was like - having a snoop around while the band were AWOL - then got caught out - d'oh!

Grabbed Newton as he'd just come off stage - in just his socks - cowboy boots in hand. Newton is the easiest person to talk to - and things got a little deep as he talked about a new song he'd written. He said he broke down when he wrote the first line so was worried about how he'd actually deal with performing it in public. Other than that we talked about what the rest of the year held for him - festivals all the way...

So - this is what they call making a quick getaway. Maybe a tactic you might want to employ when you want to avoid the traffic. Call up the police and get yourself a police escort like Madonna and her crew. I got the feeling they were more than happy with the gig - after they came off the dancers just kept on dancing - like their feet wouldn't let them stop. Going through whole dance routines en masse - quite a sight. Despite being Madonna's close personal friend' we sadly didn't get to meet - let alone speak. And then she left in such a hurry she forgot to say goodbye. Must have left the oven on or something...

Just wanted to give you an idea of what it looks like backstage - the whole set up and the walk that the artists take before they walk out in front of the crowds. I have never seen such a colossal crowd in one tent as we saw last night for Madonna. It was just breathtaking.

There was much talk about superstars, egos and diva strops yesterday...none of which materialised. Until - I came across Folk Face having intense pre-gig discussions/rows. It was all very tense and I was left with the distinct impression that they'd maybe left it a little late in working out their set list...costumes...patter...pretty much everything really.

I know it's unbelievable but we actually got access to Usher's crib at Maidstone and had a snoop around to see what potions and lotions make the man so fragrant, well oiled and successful. Just a shame he'd already left...

Just to complete the perfect birthday I presented Keith with a scrummy birthday cake in the shape of a shaggy puppy dog - which he promptly dismembered and throw to the crowd...

So - we found the Ting Tings and coerced them into having a go too - Katie was fine but thinks she lacks the hips to get a good wiggle going - Jules was appalling...

Keith Murray from WAS was celebrating his birthday and who better than to be serenaded by than the lovely Duffy - in Welsh!!

Unlikely friendships get struck up at R1BW - WAS and Duffy got on like a house on fire and had a bit of a 'hula off'. I was tipped off by Keith that Chris from the band had been watching Robyn and was very confident that he could whup her ass when it came to the hoop. Have you ever seen a more unlikely looking hula hoop demon than this man. His technique was unique - kind of a wiggle 'n thrust combo. He was magnificent!!

Greg was a bit bemused as to why I was walking around with a hula hoop - he proved to be particularly inept - complaining that the hoop was too small for his girth....his hips were blatently not made for wiggling...

I had a chat with Dan from The Feeling who was debating whether he should go onstage in a white vest - what with the hot weather and it being his right as a gay man he felt perhaps it would be a good move...he also took the hula hoop challenge and was quite a wiggler - have a look...

Last year tambourine playing with The Fray...prancing around as a white Rabbit with Mika...How to follow that? Hmmm...please meet Bananawoman - as seen live on stage with the fantabulous Hoosiers...regrets? I have a few...

The hot money has always been on Robyn when it comes to the hula hoop challenge and boy did she prove everyone right - she was amazing! This is just one of her efforts - can't see anyone beating her this weekend although Fearne Cotton has made the mistake of telling us that she had hula hoop training when she was in America....and of course we intend to see just how good she is...watch this space...

There are some weird and wonderful sights backstage at R1BW - meet Robyn's friends - a postwoman, a walking talking microphone and a swedish monkey who looked like he'd seen better days...

Second to take the Jo Blogs Hula Hoop Challenge was Scott Mills. Not especially known for his sporting prowess and with sweat dripping from his face, chest and tummy I had to literally chase him around the backstage area before I lassooed him with my hoop and forced him to have a wiggle. Check his pathetic efforts below...nice tan and teeth though!

So - Scouting For Girls opened the gates and kinda launched the Big weekend and they have also launched the Jo Blogs Big Weekend challenge which involves a noisy sparkly purple hula hoop!! The aim is to get as many bands as possible grinding and rotating their hips for maximum Hula Hooping action - unsportingly complaining of having too much beer in their stomachs to take part we managed to persuade Roy, Greg and Peter and they scored the grand band total of 8!! Watch the clip below to check out their hip action...

When I met Madonna recently, she looked so good, I felt pressure to make sure I look my best as I'll be introducing her on stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend later today! So I got my stylist Ellie to bring in some outfits for me to try on and here is a quick look at some of the options...

Last year, at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Preston, Jo took our trusty digital video camera in to the depths of the Big Weekend backstage area, and Jo Blogs was born. She stole Calvin Harris's glasses, played tambourine with the Fray, got her make up done by the Scissor Sisters, and even captured Ricky from the Kaiser Chiefs throwing up. The good news is, she's back, and she's planning to go prying again. Nobody is safe - even people with damaged limbs, like Mika: