The Jockey Club Live will be making a return to racecourses across the north this summer, with a jam-packed line-up of open air summer concerts.
In the north, we’ll be looking forward to gigs from Craig David, Sugababes, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, and Pete Tong, plus an epic Faithless DJ set from Sister Bliss across some of the UK’s finest racecourses.
The Jockey Club Live is an event series that combines live music and racing, drawing in more than one million people across 120 concerts since its launch in 2014.
Haydock Park, Aintree, and Carlisle Racecourses will be hosting these huge gigs, kicking off in May with the Sugababes.
Now back with the original line-up of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy, the girl band will be bringing their massive noughties hits to Aintree, from ‘Push the Button’ to ‘Freak Like Me’.
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Dickon White, regional director of Jockey Club Racecourses North West said: “Sugababes are one of the UK’s most iconic bands and we can’t wait to welcome them. Alongside Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics, we have a stellar line-up of music nights ahead so I am firmly looking forward to the summer!”
Sugababes said: “We had such an amazing time playing festivals last year, we can’t wait to kick off the season with you all at Aintree Racecourse on 19th May!”
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Up next will be Pete Tong in June, with a brand new show bringing together the worlds of classical and club music.
Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics will see the legendary DJ team up with the 65-piece Essential Orchestra, conducted by Jules Buckley, alongside incredible visual effects.
Expect to be dancing in the fields of Aintree to hits like ‘Right Here, Right Now’, ‘Galvanise’, ‘Sing It Back’ and ‘Insomnia’.
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Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics. Credit: Ash Youd
Dickon White said: “Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics is going to transform the Red Rum Garden into the White Isle for one night only! We can’t wait to welcome the show to Aintree Racecourse in June for what will truly be an unforgettable summer evening.”
Pete Tong said: “Dust off your raving shoes! Myself and Jules Buckley are so excited to be bringing the orchestra and Ibiza Classics to Aintree Racecourse in 2023. I guarantee the energy is going to blow the place apart!”
The legend that is Craig David is next on the bill, taking over Haydock Park 23 years after the release of his critically acclaimed album, Born to Do It.
His triumphant return will bring him into the north west in June for what promises to be an iconic night. \
Molly Dingwall, general manager at Haydock Park Racecourse said: “Craig is one of the icons of the UK music industry and a real voice of a generation–we’re so excited to have him at Haydock Park this summer for a show that’s sure to be a highlight!”
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Craig David at Jockey Club Live. Credit: Angela Smith
Craig David said: “From my TS5 shows in Ibiza to sets at festivals like Glastonbury, there is nothing quite like an outdoor summer show! I can’t wait to bring the party to Haydock Park in June with my live band–bring it on!”
Moving into July and it’s another music heavyweight taking to The Jockey Club Live stage at Carlisle Racecourse.
A Faithless DJ set is set to take Cumbria back to the heyday of 90s and noughties electronic music, thanks to hits like ‘Insomnia’ and ‘God is a DJ’.
Sister Bliss, firmly considered a musical force in dance music, will be handling the decks.
Helen Willis, general manager at Carlisle Racecourse said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sister Bliss to Carlisle Racecourse for a Faithless DJ Set. Faithless are one of the most iconic giants of electronic music and we know fans will be dancing the night away to their biggest hits and more on Saturday 8 July.”
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Sister Bliss said: “Summer outdoor shows are some of my absolute favourites and the crowd response is always remarkable. We have a spectacular show planned so can’t wait to see you all there!”
And finally, it’s the great Nile Rodgers & CHIC returning to Haydock Park in August, for a night filled with funk, pop and all things disco.
Nile Rodgers & CHIC at Haydock Park. Credit: Supplied
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee has been a pioneer of the music industry and has helped to create some of the world’s most famous and respected songs.
Molly Dingwall said: “Nile Rodgers & CHIC put on the most incredible live show–their catalogue of unrivalled hits saw that Aintree Racecourse were all on their feet and dancing last summer. Due to phenomenal demand, we had to bring them back to Merseyside!”
Nile Rodgers said: “I’m so excited to come and see all our friends in the North West on Friday 11 August. Aintree last summer was a real highlight for us all so we can’t wait to continue the Good Times at Haydock Park!”
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Tickets are available now through The Jockey Club Live here.
The full Jockey Club Live line-up across the North West
11 May – Sugababes at Aintree Racecourse
16 June – Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics at Aintree Racecourse
24 June – Craig David at Haydock Park Racecourse
8 July – Faithless DJ Set at Carlisle Racecourse
11 Aug – Nile Rodgers & CHIC at Haydock Park Racecourse
Featured image: Supplied
Audio
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is returning to Greater Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is coming back to Manchester once again, and they’re bringing yet another phenomenal lineup with them.
National radio station and overall upcoming music connoisseurs, BBC Radio 6, are back with their music festival, and just like years previous, it’s taking place across Manchester.
Over the years, the festival has brought some of music’s biggest names to lots of local venues, putting on an array of brilliant live performances.
Last spring saw the arrival of rock band Gossip and Irish singer CMAT, both taking up residency in O2 Victoria Warehouse, Lily Fontaine of English Teacher at Band On The Wall, while DJ Seinfeld went B2B with Salute in Depot Mayfield.
Leading this glowing roster of performers is Ezra Collective, a Mercury award -winning band known for their brilliant jazz productions, and then from one Mercury-winning band to another, Lily Fontaine won’t be riding solo this year, instead she’s bringing all the crew with her, as English Teacher are set to perform at this huge festival.
Fat Dog, whose debut album is titled ‘Woof’, are joining in on the fun with Scottish band Mogwai also making a feature too.
There’s even a chance for an exclusive first listen too, as Kae Tempest will be debuting new material right here in Manchester.
Ezra Collective are performing at BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.English Teacher make a return to Manchester for this special event.Fat Dog are also playing the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.
All performances will be taking place at a multitude of venues, like the previously mentioned O2 Victoria Warehouse, Depot Mayfield, and Band On The Wall, as well as loads of other events at entertainment bar, Yes.
Every highlight, alongside live and recorded live performances, will be taking place at MediaCityUK in Salford, in order to keep everything Manchester central.
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is happening from 26 – 29 March 2025, with tickets going on sale from 6 February at 10am here.
Cyndi Lauper at Co-op Live, Manchester 2025 – tickets, times, setlist, and more
Thomas Melia
Cyndi Lauper is visiting the music capital of the north this weekend, and is bringing her lorry load of hits with her too.
Lauper is an absolute legend in the music industry and has established herself as a leading figure in dance and pop music, especially in the 80s, but now, the American musician is gracing the Co-op Live stage as part of her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, and it’ll surely be ‘A Night to Remember’.
The support act for the UK dates is still yet to be announced, however if the previous US shows were anything to go by, pop stars like Aly and AJ, Elle King, and GAYLE have all had the honour of the opening slot.
Are tickets still available for the Manchester show?
There are still a number of tickets left, and luckily enough, your options aren’t that limited either, so whether you feel like dancing on the sidelines, or being in the middle of the action, you’ll be able to have fun wherever you find yourself in this remarkable venue.
Tickets start from £57.50 each, and can be bought from Ticketmaster’s official website here.
What is the expected setlist?
She Bop
The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough
When You Were Mine
I Drove All Night
Who Let in the Rain
Iko Iko
Funnel of Love
Sally’s Pigeons
I’m Gonna Be Strong
Sisters of Avalon
Change of Heart
Time After Time
Money Changes Everything
Shine
True Colors
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Cyndi Lauper is playing at Co-op Live this weekend / Credit: Flickr | The Manc Group
What are the stage times for Cyndi Lauper in Manchester?
Doors will open at 7:30pm, and Co-op Live is known for having a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning concert-goers can be safe knowing they won’t be pulling an all nighter to hear all the legend’s biggest tunes.
Although the venue hasn’t yet confirmed stage times just yet, it’s expected that Cyndi Lauper will take to the stage in Manchester around 9pm.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, luckily it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop, so you’ll just need to head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
If you’re driving, the postcode for your SatNav is M11 3DU, but limited parking available at the venue, and this must be pre-booked ahead of time.
Also keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide for event day – though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions) – Plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound) – Expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound) Plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post event to help safely manage crowds.
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walking or cycling
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through Beryl – with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination, and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner on the Co-op Live website.
In the meantime, you can also read our review of Kinky Boots, the musical with music by Cyndi herself, HERE – it certainly left us with a standout memory…