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
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Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
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Manichester organisers confirm tribute festival will return in 2027
Danny Jones
For anyone who didn’t manage to make it to the inaugural ‘Manichester’ festival held earlier this year in memory of British music legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, you’ll be glad to hear that the tribute festival will be returning in 2027.
Set up in the name of the late, great Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, the event sold out in the blink of an eye, as hordes of Mancs and more turned up to honour the local icon through live music.
Following paying their respects in the immediate aftermath, his surviving family members, peers and other figures from within the industry then held that wonderful evening, where several big names turned up to remember with live performances – and it’s official: they’re not done yet.
Writing in a lengthy caption, the brand said, “The family of Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield have thanked everyone who made Manichester at Diecast such a special day — performers, organisers, and the thousands who turned up to celebrate a true Manchester icon.”
The evidently emotional and grateful statement goes on to read: “On behalf of Gene, George & the Family — thank you to everyone who performed, contributed and attended Manichester on 30 May 2026, and for all your kind words of support.
“The response was massive — fans travelled from everywhere, demand through the roof, love for Mani louder than ever. [Local fashion label] GioGoi even said they could’ve filled Old Trafford.”
Revealing that the team of organisers have now green-lit the follow-up edition next year, they promise to deliver the same kind of magic, only “bigger, better, built properly” and with more music and people involved this time around.
They also thanked Manc-Mexican musician and creative, Alejandro Reyes Knight, for filming and editing the content on the night, adding that since he “grew up in Madchester”, there was no better person to be tasked with the job.
For anyone who was there at Diecast on the special memorial evening itself, we don’t need to tell you how special the energy was in the room.
We spent a good week or so looking back at footage following the maiden Manichester festival, as we’re sure plenty of you did, too; safe to say we’re glad we’ll have another opportunity to celebrate his life and career in the best way we know how: with plenty of tunes and singing our hearts out.
It remains to be seen whether Diecast will remain the host venue for the sophomore tribute fest, and the next date is also still yet to be fully set.
All we do know is that with such a good lineup and turnout the first time around, you can expect an excellent and equally heartfelt sequel in 2027.
You can register your interest right HERE. Wherever and whenever it is, we’ll see you there.
@the.manc Yesterday, Manchester laid one of the city's greatest music legends, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, to rest at Manchester Cathedral. 🍋 Fellow band member and life-long friend Ian Brown read out a speech as hundreds gathered outside the cathedral to pay their respects to The Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist. Mani will be missed by many, and we send love to all his family and friends. ❤️ #manchester#mani#ianbrown#thestoneroses#stoneroses♬ original sound – The Manc
Daisy Jackson -
6th April 2023 
