Music Showcase Weekend at York Racecourse (From York Press)

Music Showcase Weekend at York Racecourse

9:54am Saturday 28th July 2012 in News By Claire Bottomley

MUSIC to set the heart racing helped to launch a weekend celebrating the sport of kings, Eighties pop and the Olympics.

The three elements combined at York Racecourse as its Music Showcase Weekend coincided with the start of the London Games.

Last night large TV screens showed the Olympic opening ceremony while racing was under way, followed by a live concert starring Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet, Martin Fry of ABC, Marc Almond of Soft Cell and Clare Grogan of Altered Images.

Racegoers danced the night away to some of the best-known hits of the decade, including True, Gold, Tainted Love and Poison Arrow.

James Brennan, head of marketing at the racecourse, said: “It was a fantastic event – the crowd had really been looking forward to it.

“They are four acts that were big in my youth and were for many of those in the audience. Some of them remembered them and others were brought up on their music.”

The stage is set for another day of racing and music at Knavesmire today.

Gates open at 11.15am, with the first race at 2.05pm and the last race at 5.20pm. A concert, open to racegoers only, will then follow, starring chart-topping boy-band McFly. Accompanied children will be admitted to the race day, including the concert, for free.

McFly drummer Harry Judd said: “We’re very excited to be back in York.

“We really enjoy playing racecourses and we’ve heard there’s always an incredible atmosphere at York Races.”

Sunny spells and scattered showers are forecast for today, with the temperature reaching a high of 17 degrees Celsius.