Music
You got the love for giant Classic Ibiza track-poll
Classic Ibiza’s Facebook followers were given the amazing opportunity over Easter to vote for their favourite dance tracks to be added to the set at this summer’s concert at Hatfield House on Saturday 31 August. Held in association with San Miguel, Classic Ibiza sees the 32-piece Urban Soul Orchestra, DJ Goldierocks and critically acclaimed live vocalists bring to life dance music’s most iconic tracks.
Earlier this year we asked our Facebook followers to put forward their favourite tracks to form a shortlist of 20. The shortlist went live on Classic Ibiza’s Facebook page (@ClassicIbiza) on 18 April for a week. The most popular 5 tracks, which alone polled over 3,000 votes, being added to the set are:
No.1 : “You Got the Love,” The Source ft. Candi Staton
https://youtu.be/gKboX01fTxc
No.2: “Giant,” Calvin Harris & Rag’n’Bone Man
No.3 “Everybody’s Free,” Rozalla
Other tracks include “Sweet Harmony,” Liquid; and “When Love Takes Over,” David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland. To mark the sad passing of The Prodigy’s Keith Flint, one of dance music’s most iconic frontmen, a special performance of “Firestarter” has also been added to the programme.
These tracks join a set of nearly 3 hours, which celebrates dance music’s rich archive. Other tracks being performed on the evening include: “Insomnia,” Faithless; “Born Slippy,” Underworld; and “Sandstorm,” Darude.
Stephen Hussey, founder and conductor of USO, comments:
“This year’s set is stronger than ever, with some great tunes being added to a line-up of truly iconic house tracks. It’s great to see the likes of, ‘You Got the Love’ and ‘Giant,’ which bookend dance music’s history, coming out top. I guess it illustrates the diverse nature of the Classic Ibiza audience.
“We were inundated with votes this year and while there were 5 clear winners, don’t be too disheartened if your track didn’t get in. We will be performing 11 new tracks this summer and will be freshening up the set-list again next year, so I am sure that some of them will make an appearance in the future.”
Classic Ibiza starts with a chill-out set where people can enjoy their picnics and a drink, or dance along as the sun fades. Then DJ Goldierocks will turn things up in the interval, getting the crowd into the mood before the Urban Soul Orchestra and vocalists return to the stage to bring a vibrant atmosphere to the summer evening. One classic dance track will follow another, as the grounds of Hatfield House turn into a magical, alfresco celebration, with accompanying lasers and Balearic beats.
Urban Soul Orchestra (USO) seamlessly integrate the two worlds of classical and electronic dance music. They have worked for 25 years at the top of the UK music industry, specialising in recording sessions for top artists, major corporate events and exclusive private parties. Founded by Stephen Hussey and co-directed by Natasha Beckman, they have worked alongside the very best in the dance music industry, including Nightmares On Wax, Groove Armada, Ultra Naté, Octave One, Full Intention, Soul II Soul, Robert Miles, Sonique and Spiller.
USO has released “Classic Ibiza”, an album of iconic dance anthems, which features many of the tracks being played on the night and is available on CD and all major music websites and apps. For more information and to book USO for private and corporate events both in the UK and abroad see: www.urbansoulorchestra.co.uk
Classic Ibiza 2018 at Blickling, Norfolk. Photo credit Simon Finlay Photography.
Goldierocks (AKA Sam Hall) has played exclusive sets for Madonna, Giorgio Armani, Richard Branson and Jade Jagger. Her weekly global radio show ‘The Selector’ goes out to 44 countries and with 4.3 million dedicated weekly listeners, she was named by The Evening Standard as “the most influential woman in Pop”. 2016 saw Sam become the ‘face of dance music’ for Capital FM presenting The Capital Weekender with Ministry of Sound, she also launched her own weekly independent, specialist mix show ‘Firefly Mix Series’ on Pioneer DJ Radio and became the new co-host for Bestival FM.
In addition to the amazing tunes and artists, what really sets Classic Ibiza apart is that it is a concert for all age groups. Set in the delightful outdoor setting of Hatfield House, with easy access to transport links, concert goers can bring their own food and drink, or take advantage of numerous stalls selling high-quality street-food and refreshments. Car-parking is free (for coaches and cars), so everyone is assured of a fantastic evening.
Tickets and information: www.classicibiza.co.uk
Excitement is building as Live Nation and top event promoter Cuffe & Taylor announce more amazing artists for the TK Maxx presents Bedford Summer Sessions at Bedford Park. On Sunday, 30 June, the talented Dagny and The Mercians will join headliner Jess Glynne and support act Cian Ducrot for a night to remember.
The inaugural Bedford Summer Sessions are set to be a highlight of the summer, featuring a lineup of world-class artists throughout June and July 2024. Fans can look forward to performances by Avril Lavigne, Tom Jones, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Pete Tong, and James. Tickets, including Weekend Passes, are available now at smmrsessions.com and ticketmaster.co.uk.
Dagny, the Norwegian singer-songwriter known for her hits “Somebody” and “Love You Like That,” is set to dazzle the Bedford Park crowd. With her unique blend of indie pop and Scandinavian charm, Dagny has captivated audiences at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Glastonbury. After an impressive performance supporting Sting in Bedford Park last year, Dagny is back to deliver another unforgettable show.
The Mercians, an indie sensation from the Midlands, have quickly risen to fame in the UK music scene. In just two years, they’ve played iconic venues such as O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and O2 Institute Birmingham, and headlined a sold-out show at O2 Academy Leicester. With over 1.1 million streams on Spotify and 1.5 million views on TikTok, their popularity is soaring. The Mercians’ gritty, relatable tracks have earned them three consecutive number-one hits on the alt iTunes charts, and they’re set to bring their electrifying energy to Bedford Park this summer.
Don’t miss this incredible lineup featuring Jess Glynne, Cian Ducrot, Dagny, and The Mercians on Sunday, 30 June at Bedford Park. It’s going to be a night of fantastic music and unforgettable moments!
Sting is bringing his My Songs World Tour to Bedford Park for a sensational outdoor show.
The rock icon will play on Saturday June 24. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday November 18 via bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk
Sting’s ‘My Songs’ concerts are an exuberant and dynamic show featuring his most beloved songs, written throughout the 17-time Grammy Award winner’s illustrious career both with The Police and as a solo artist.
Following a sold out six-night residency at the London Palladium, My Songs was hailed “a masterclass” by The Times who said “Sting remains an undeniably skilled performer with a gold-plated back catalogue.”
A musical journey taking in hits like Fields of Gold, Shape of my Heart, Roxanne and Demolition Man, the concert was described as “a rare treat” by The Telegraph and saw Sting praised as “near peerless” by The Guardian with “sublime pop alchemy”. Fans can also expect to hear Englishman In New York, Every Breath You Take, Roxanne, Message In A Bottle and many more.
For more dates and information about Sting’s My Songs World Tour – visit sting.com
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Bedford Park Concerts 2023
Sting joins George Ezra as part of the ‘Bedford Park Concerts’ series of shows next summer. With three UK No.1 albums Wanted On Voyage (2014), Staying At Tamara’s (2018) and Gold Rush Kid (2022) under his belt, George Ezra has toured the world, toured it some more, then met himself coming back the other way. He’s felt the green, green grass under his feet and the blue, blue sky on his back. A traveller, an entertainer, he’s a man in pursuit of happiness, and of sharing that happiness. Other headline artists include Sister Sledge and The Jacksons.
Milton Keynes Theatre is delighted to announce its summer season of sensational entertainment!
Returning to the venue after a sell-out run in 2019 is the phenomenal Les Misérables, the musical often regarded as the most popular in the world. Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production arrives in Milton Keynes on Tue 26 Apr for four weeks.
Northern Ballet share their take on the beloved literary classic The Great Gatsby from Tue 24 May, promising the most glamourous party in town.
From Mon 30 May, a whodunnit everyone can enjoy arrives fresh out the boardgame box and onto the stage. Cluedo is the new comedy thriller directed by Mark Bell, director of the award winning The Play That Goes Wrong, which will also be arriving in Milton Keynes on Mon 25 Jul.
Brining life and energy to the immortal songs of the late Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf is the rocking musical, Bat Out of Hell, from 14 June. With all the anthems you know and love, this show is set to be a crowd-pleaser for those inclined to rock ‘n’ roll.
From best-selling author David Walliams comes the Olivier nominated Billionaire Boy from Thu 30 Jun, a winner for the whole family!
Fancy yourself a decoder? Try to decipher the secrets, clues and riddles in The Da Vinci Code from Tue 12 Jul. The world premiere tour of the brand-new stage production stars Coronation Street’s Christopher Harper and Danny John-Jules (Red Dwarf, Death in Paradise).
Take a chance on the ultimate feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! as it returns to Milton Keynes on Tue 2 Aug. Set on a Greek island paradise, this musical is a story of love, friendship and identity, cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA. And from one musical legend to another, The Cher Show joins Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 9 Aug. Get ready to Turn Back Time in this outrageous new musical directed by Arlene Phillips (Grease, Starlight Express) and choreographed by Strictly’s Oti Mabuse.
Willy Russell’s moving Liverpudlian tale, Blood Brothers, then takes to the stage from Tue 30 Aug. Few musicals have been received with such acclaim as this multi-award-winning production which surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End.
Milton Keynes will be screaming Go, Go, Go Joseph this September when the sensational new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to the Milton Keynes Theatre for two weeks. The family musical which opens on Mon 12 Sep stars Alexandra Burke as the Narrator and Jac Yarrowas Joseph.
Milton Keynes Theatre continues its outstanding programme of one night entertainment this season. The hilarious Menopause the Musical 2 comes to the theatre on Sat 11 Jun. Enjoy an evening with world famous football manager Harry Redknapp on Tue 28 Jun. Strictly professionals Anton & Giovanni team up for an evening of song and dance with their show, Him and Me. And the tribute shows are back! For Rod Stewart fans there’s Some Guys Have All The Luck on Sun 31 Jul, and celebrating the music of Tina Turner is What’s Love Got To Do With It on Sun 4 Sep.
