Just A Quickie with...Andrea Corr of rejuvenated Irish group The Corrs, who play the York Racecourse Music Showcase Weekend after racing on July 23

You released your comeback album White Light last year to great success. Were you surprised to have such a positive reaction from your fans after being away for ten years, Andrea?

"We were aware that we had been missed and we poured our hearts and souls into making this new record, but as always there are no guarantees; you just have to do your best work. We were thrilled with the reaction! The tour was amazing; so much love in the audience and the reviews and reaction from the records were amazing.

Your first gig on your return was an outdoor show at Hyde Park. Do you enjoy outdoor gigs and how do these compare to indoor arena shows?

"All gigs are amazing. Performing is the greatest feeling in the world! Hyde Park was so special; 60,000 people singing along to Runaway was the most incredible feeling. I know we all started to well up at that point. So much love from the audience."

You also undertook a massive arena tour to promote White Light. What’s the crowd reaction been like this time around? Are you seeing a lot of familiar faces or new fans that have now discovered your music?

"Both, which is great. "We seem to have held on to our fans and made some new. Crowd reaction has been amazing. I think as a band we've matured a lot and I think the crowd can really feel how much we love what we are doing and that's infectious. There truly is nothing like making music and performing it to an enthusiastic crowd."

Does it feel exciting to be back playing together again? What have you missed the most about being on the road?

"We laugh soooo much. As soon as we get together, we just enjoy every moment and savour it. Making music together is very special and we missed that.

"Love being on the road; it's like this bubble of creativity and you get to live outside the routine, which I adore."

You’re performing at York Racecourse next weekend. Why do you think pop artists like playing racecourses?

"Great crowds. They are already having a wonderful time by the time you get there and they love a good gig."

What can fans expect at the York show? Any surprises?

"They will hear all our hits and songs from White Light too. We'll also break it down to a small acoustic section too, which makse its very organic and is a special moment every night."

Is there a particular song that you feel is a crowd favourite?

"Runaway."

Are you a racing fan? Have you visited the races before in your personal time?

"Personally no, but I'm sure I would enjoy it."

Finally, Andrea, have you visited Yorkshire before? Do you have any particular memories or anecdotes?

"Yes. The countryside is very beautiful; gorgeous little perfectly preserved towns and delicious gastro- pubs with local produce."

York Press:

Kaiser Chiefs, playing at Dalby Forest last month. Picture: Mike Cowling

THE York Racecourse Music Showcase Weekend will be under starter's orders with Kaiser Chiefs after evening racing on July 22, ahead of the October 7 release of the Leeds band's sixth studio album, Stay Together.

The BRIT Award winners, whose last album was 2014's chart-topping Education, Education, Education & War, originally emerged from the northern indie scene.

They grew into a crowd-pleasing, anthemic rock band with I Predict A Riot, Everyday I Love You Less And Less and Ruby and now return with a dance flavour, after working with Xenomania's Brian Higgins, a pop producer with Girls Aloud, Sugababes, New Order and Texas among his credits.

Ricky Wilson promises "big, expansive choruses that make the crowd go wild" on the new record, as heard on the June 14 single Parachute, one of the new tracks aired at Kaiser Chiefs' first North Yorkshire open-air concert of 2016, in the Sunday night rain at Dalby Forest, only a few weeks ago on June 26.

“We can’t wait to headline York Racecourse on July 22. Playing to a racing crowd is always a lot of fun,” says Wilson, who did so on the Knavesmire track in July 2013, when the Kaisers drew a then record crowd for any racing and music evening in Britain.

To book tickets for the Music Showcase Weekend race days, visit yorkracecourse.co.uk. Each day's tickets cover the racing and the concert. Accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge; car parking is free; no fees apply when booking.