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OFF: York Festival cancelled. OFF TOO: Scarborough Open Air Theatre season shut

Goodbye, not Hello: Lionel Richie’s York Festival and Scarborough Open Air Theatre concerts have been cancelled

THE inaugural York Festival with Lionel Richie, Madness and Westlife in June is off.  The entire Scarborough Open Air Theatre summer season has been cancelled too.

The “unavoidable” double blow for promoters Cuffe and Taylor was confirmed in a brief statement at high noon, enforced by the grip of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We are sad to announce both York Festival and the 2020 programme at Scarborough Open Air Theatre will not go ahead,” they said. “We did not want to take this step, but it was unavoidable. The health and safety of concertgoers, artists, staff and community will always be our top priority.

Grey Day for Madness: no House Of Fun after all at York Festival on June 19

“We are working with our ticketing partners and they will contact customers very soon to process refunds. Peace, love, kindness and thanks.”

So, alas, this means goodbye to Hello and Lionel Richie at York Sports Club, Clifton Park, Shipton Road, on June 21, when the American soul legend, now 70, would have been supported by Grammy Award winner Macy Gray and Newcastle soul-pop duo Lighthouse Family.

Camden Town nutty boys Madness were to have headlined the opening night, June 19, joined by Ian Broudie’s Lightning Seeds, Craig Charles, for a Funk and Soul Club DJ set, Leeds indie rockers Apollo Junction and York band Violet Contours.

Westlife: York and Scarborough shows grounded without wings

Irish matured boy band Westlife were booked to top the June 21 bill, backed up All Saints, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Scouting For Girls and Take That’s Howard Donald for a DJ set.

Over on the East Coast, Cuffe and Taylor had lined up big hitters galore for Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s 2020 season, opening with Lionel Richie on June 9, followed by Westlife on June 17.

Further bookings were: Supergrass, June 20; Alfie Boe, June 27; Snow Patrol, July 4; Mixtape, with Marc Almond, Heaven 17 and Living In A Box featuring Kenny Thomas, July 10; Keane, July 17; Little Mix, July 21; McFly, August 14; Louis Tomlinson, August 15, and Nile Rodgers & Chic, August 21. What’s more, further shows were to have been added. Not any more.

Leopard king: Rod Stewart at York Racecourse last June, promoted by Cuffe and Taylor

Last year, Cuffe and Taylor promoted Rod Stewart’s first ever York concert, erecting a pop-up amphitheatre in the centre of York Racecourse and duly drawing 35,000 people to Knavesmire on June 1. Ah, those were the days.

Earlier this spring, Cuffe and Taylor were given the City of York Council thumbs-up for a licence for their first York Festival, albeit with the proviso that the volume must be turned down. Now, there will only be silence.

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Good Times ahoy as Nile Rodgers and Chic head for Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Nile Rodgers & Chic: on their way back to Scarborough Open Air Theatre in August. Picture: Jill Furmanovsky

EVERYBODY dance, Nile Rodgers & Chic are to return to Scarborough Open Air Theatre this summer two years after their debut there.

Looking forward to the August 21 show, Rodgers says: “As most people know, the UK is my home from home. Myself and Chic had a brilliant time when we played Scarborough OAT in 2018 and we cannot wait to come back again this summer. It’s going to be another amazing night, so bring your dancing shoes!”

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday (March 13) at scarboroughopenairtheatre.com, on 01723 818111 or 01723 383636 or in person from the Scarborough OAT box office, in Burniston Road, or the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau, at Scarborough Town Hall, St Nicholas Street.

Nile Rodgers is a multiple Grammy Award-winning composer, producer, arranger and guitarist with more than 200 production credits to his name. He is constantly traversing new musical terrain and successfully expanding the boundaries of popular music.

As the co-founder of Chic with Bernard Edwards, Rodgers pioneered a dancefloor language that generated such hits as Le Freak, Good Times and Everybody Dance, while also sparking the advent of hip-hop.

His Chic catalogue and work with David Bowie, Diana Ross, Sister Sledge and Madonna have sold more than 500 million albums and 75 million singles.

“It’s going to be another amazing night, so bring your dancing shoes,” advises Nile Rodgers. Picture: Jill Furmanovsky

His subsequent innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Avicii, Sigala, Disclosure and Sam Smith continue to place Rodgers, now 67, at the vanguard of contemporary soul, disco mand pop music.

No wonder the American guitarist, singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger and composer has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, whose chairmanship post he now holds.

What’s more, Rodgers was appointed as the inaugural chief creative advisor for the Abbey Road Studios, home to The Beatles’ iconic recording sessions, in London.

Peter Taylor, of Scarborough OAT concert promoters Cuffe and Taylor, says: “Nile Rodgers & Chic are global superstars and we’re delighted to be bringing them back to Scarborough OAT.

“The show in 2018 was brilliant, Nile and Chic never fail to get an entire arena on their feet dancing. This is going to be one of the highlights of the summer and I would strongly advise people to get their tickets now because you will not want to miss this!”

Keep on running….all the way to Scarborough Open Air Theatre for Supergrass gig on June 20

Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s 2020 line-up

Tuesday, June 9: Lionel Richie

Wednesday, June 17: Westlife

Saturday, June 20: Supergrass

Saturday, June 27: Alfie Boe

Saturday, July 4: Snow Patrol 

Friday, July 10:  Mixtape, starring Marc Almond, Heaven 17 and Living In A Box featuring Kenny Thomas

Friday, July 17: Keane

Tuesday, July 21: Little Mix

Friday, August 14: McFly

Saturday, August 15: Louis Tomlinson

Friday, August 21: Nile Rodgers & Chic

More dates are to be added. Watch this space.

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Alfie Boe to climax Armed Forces Day with Scarborough Open Air Theatre concert

Alfie Boe: performing at Scarborough Open Air Theatre for a fourth time

CHART-TOPPING tenor Alfie Boe will bring Armed Forces Day to a climax on June 27 with a 6pm concert at Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

The East Coast resort has the honour of hosting this year’s Armed Forces Day National Event that day.

Around 200,000 people, including members of the Royal Family and prominent politicians, are expected to head to Scarborough for a series of events to honour the dedication and sacrifice of the nation’s servicemen and women.

Boe says: “It is an amazing honour, as well as a huge thrill, for me to be back at this wonderful venue to perform on Armed Forces Day.

“I’ve played there many times and I’ve always received such a warm welcome from the good people of Yorkshire. The fact I will be performing as part of Scarborough’s hosting of Armed Forces Day’s National Event will make it even more special. I cannot wait for June 27; it will be an amazing evening.”

Mezzo-soprano Laura Wright, who has performed at major events around the world, will be among those to join Boe on stage.

Boe, who has starred in stellar productions of Les Misérables and La Bohème, will be appearing at Scarborough OAT for the fourth time. He headlined Armed Forces Day concerts there in 2015 and 2018 and performed alongside his friend and collaborator in song, Michael Ball, in 2017.

He and Ball will next sing in Yorkshire at Leeds First Direct Arena on February 25. On his return in June, he will combine familiar favourites with selections from last November’s celebration of songs of the 1930s and 1940s, As Time Goes By, his first solo record since 2015.

Mezzo-soprano Laura Wright: joining Alfie Boe at the Armed Forces Day concert

Recorded with Grammy award winner Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band, the album journeyed through the defining songs of that golden era, from the full force of Sing Sing Sing to the smooth The Way You Look Tonight and title track.

Laura Wright, who topped the classical album chart with her debut, The Last Rose, is writing and recording her seventh album. At 24, she composed the Invictus Games anthem, Invincible, for Prince Harry and two years later wrote Heroes, the first official anthem for England Women’s Cricket, and then Brave for the Military Wives.

She became the first ever official singer of the England Rugby Union team and has sung at the Rugby Union World Cup, the NFL series, the Grand National at Aintree, Royal Ascot and the FA Cup Final. 

Looking forward to presenting Boe on June 27, Peter Taylor, director of Scarborough OAT concert promoters Cuffe and Taylor, says: “Alfie is massively popular and is someone we are asked to bring back every year, so we are delighted to be welcoming him back to Scarborough OAT this summer.

“June 27 will be an extra-special night as the nation’s focus will be on Scarborough. It is such an honour to host the Armed Forces Day National Event and so we really could not think of anyone better to headline this concert than Alfie, who will be joined by the wonderful Laura Wright.

“It will undoubtedly be an incredibly moving and special concert and, we feel, the perfect climax to a day that celebrates the dedication and sacrifice of our Armed Forces.”

Stuart Clark, Scarborough OAT venue manager and event manager for the Armed Forces Day National Event, says: “Alfie Boe is a firm favourite here and we are delighted to welcome him back in 2020. His show will be a highlight of the prestigious Armed Forces Day National Event in Scarborough and a wonderful musical celebration dedicated to our Armed Forces.”

Tickets will go on general sale on Friday (February 21) at 9am at scarboroughopenairtheatre.com; on 01723 818111 and 01723 383636, or in person from the Scarborough OAT box office, in Burniston Road, or the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau, at Scarborough Town Hall, St Nicholas Street.

For more information and a full list of Armed Forces Day 2020 events in Scarborough, go to scarborougharmedforcesday.co.uk.

Alfie Boe: lighting up Scarborough Open Air Theatre on June 27

SCARBOROUGH OPEN AIR THEATRE’s 2020 LINE-UP

Tuesday, June 9, Lionel Richie

Wednesday, June 17, Westlife

Saturday, June 20, Supergrass

Saturday, June 27, Alfie Boe 

Saturday, July 4,Snow Patrol

Friday, July 10,Mixtape, starring Marc Almond, Heaven 17 and Living In A Box featuring Kenny Thomas

Friday, July 17, Keane

Tuesday, July 21,  Little Mix

Friday, August 14,McFly

Saturday, August 15, Louis Tomlinson

More artists are to be announced.

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Louis Tomlinson’s one direction on August 15 will be Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Louis Tomlinson: set fair for Scarborough this summer

LOUIS Tomlinson is extending his debut solo world tour to take in Scarborough Open Air Theatre on August 15.

Tickets for the chart-topping Yorkshire singer-songwriter go on general sale at scarboroughopenairtheatre.com on Friday at 9am.

One fifth of One Direction, Doncaster-born Tomlinson, 28, released his debut album Walls on January 31.

“I feel like this is the start of my career, with so much to look forward to and all the plans in place,” he says. “Honestly, I’ve been through every emotion possible in the past few years and come out the other side stronger and more confident than I’ve ever been.

“I know I’ve made an album that my fans will like, one that sounds like me and has its own identity. There were times I wasn’t sure if this was what I should be doing. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Opening in Barcelona on March 9, Tomlinson’s world tour will play Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Sydney, Tokyo, Rio De Janeiro and five sold-out British dates nights before heading to North America. 

Peter Taylor, director of Scarborough OAT promoters Cuffe & Taylor, is delighted to be bringing Tomlinson to the East Coast. “Louis was an integral part of the biggest global pop phenomenon of the past 20 years and is also a proud Yorkshireman, so this is going to be a must-see date for his fans.

“His debut album is brilliant and demand for tickets for his World Tour has been immense. We cannot wait to welcome Louis and his fans to this special arena for what will be a fantastic night.”

Post One Direction, Tomlinson began his solo days with two collaborations, Just Hold On with Steve Aoki and the brooding duet Back To You with Bebe Rexha. Last year, the singles flowed: the raucous Kill My Mind; the heartfelt Two Of Us; the reflective We Made It and the soaring Don’t Let It Break Your Heart.

Now comes Walls, an album with a nod to his love of indie-rock and lyrics “rooted in real life that dig deep on subjects ranging from relationships and family to the folly of youth and days of self-doubt”.

Tomlinson’s August 15 tickets also will be available from Friday on 01723 818111 and 01723 383636 or in person from the Scarborough Open Air Theatre box office, in Burniston Road, and the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau, Scarborough Town Hall, St Nicholas Street.

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Keane’s second wave rolls into Scarborough Open Air Theatre for seaside summer show

Keaner than ever: Keane are back after a six-year hiatus

KEANE, the rejuvenated East Sussex chart toppers, are off to the East Coast for a  Friday night out at Scarborough Open Air Theatre this summer.

Tickets for their July 17 gig go on general sale on Friday at 9am at scarboroughopenairtheatre.com.

Singer Tom Chaplin, sparring partner Tim Rice-Oxley, bassist Jesse Quin and drummer Richard Hughes returned from a six-year hiatus last September with the album Cause And Effect.

The birth of their fifth studio album came as a surprise even to the band from Battle. Chaplin had released two solo albums, 2016’s The Wave and 2017’s Twelve Tales Of Christmas, but nevertheless missed working with Rice-Oxley. 

So, when Chaplin, Quin and Hughes heard the songs Rice-Oxley had been composing, they were immediately drawn to them, both sonically and lyrically, and Keane were reborn. “We’re not some heritage act,” says Rice-Oxley. “We’ve got a lot of great music in us.”

Ahead of Cause And Effect’s release, Keane returned to the stage last summer with a string of live shows, not least two nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

The comeback album peaked at number two last autumn, adding to the success of a career that had chalked up 13 million album sales, four number one albums, two BRIT awards and one Ivor Novello award before coming to a halt in 2013 with The Best Of Keane compilation.

Their 2004 debut, Hopes And Fears, elicited the hits Somewhere Only We Know, Everybody’s Changing, This Is The Last Time and Bedshaped en route to being ranked among Britain’s 40 best-selling albums of all time. Next came Under The Iron Sea in 2006, Perfect Symmetry in 2008 and Strangeland in 2012.

Promoters Cuffe and Taylor are delighted to have added Keane to this summer’s Scarborough OAT programme. “As soon as Keane announced last year they were back and ready to take to the stage again, we knew we had to bring them to Scarborough,” says director Peter Taylor.

“This special arena was created for artists like Keane. Their songs are beautiful, anthemic, the soundtrack to many people’s lives over the last 20 years, and I’m sure their army of fans cannot wait to see these songs played live here. I know I certainly can’t.

“Keane are an incredible live band and this is unquestionably going to be one of the gigs of the summer.” 

Tickets for this summer’s shows can be booked in person from the Scarborough Open Air Theatre box office, Burniston Road, and the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau, Scarborough Town Hall, St Nicholas Street; on 01723 818111 and 01723 383636, as well as at scarboroughopenairtheatre.com. 

SCARBOROUGH OPEN AIR THEATRE: 2020 LINE-UP

  • Tuesday June 9 – Lionel Richie 
  • Wednesday June 17 – Westlife
  • Saturday June 20 – Supergrass
  • Saturday July 4 – Snow Patrol
  • Friday July 10 – Mixtape (starring Marc Almond, Heaven 17 and Living in a Box featuring Kenny Thomas)
  • Friday July 17 – Keane
  • Tuesday July 21 – Little Mix
  • Friday August 14 – McFly 

More artists are to be announced.