Racecourse Round-up 2013 with Madness, Blue, McFly, Meat Loaf, The Human League, Kaiser Chiefs, Ronan Keating and more
Enjoy a show at the races with our guide to what's on at a racecourse near you. Madness, Scouting for Girls, McFly, Meat Loaf, Beverley Festival 2013, Travis, Simple Minds, The Human League, Kaiser Chiefs, Happy Mondays, Blue, Rita Ora, Ronan Keating, Keane, Rudimental - DJ set, Jessie J, The Wanted, Bananarama and more all feature at various racecourse venues throughout the year.
Some of the most popular outdoor music events in 2012, apart from standard festivals, were held at racecourses. Usually added to the end of a busy race-meeting at any one of the UK's most popular courses, the concerts feature some of the biggest names in pop and rock and take place on a special stage in front of the stands or inside, with many set to sell out.
One thing is a dead cert - you'll be onto a winner with this little lot:
Rudimental - DJ set
Chart-topping outfit Rudimental will perform a DJ set at one of Goodwood's Three Friday Nights sessions on 31st May. Each of these events involves an evening's race-card followed by a renowned DJ on the decks with the group kicking off this trio of events. Tickets on sale now, priced at £25 - £35.
Groove Armada - DJ Set
Andy Cato from Groove Armada will perform a set on 14th June at one of Goodwood's Three Friday Nights summer sessions, each of which will involve an evening's race-card followed by a renowned DJ on the decks. Tickets on sale now, priced at £25 - £35.
Meat Loaf
Like a 'bat out of hell', Meat will be fleeing the live circuit by the end of the year. After his final UK tour, you can catch Mr Loaf perform at Newmarket Nights on 16th August. Tickets are available now, priced from £45. As with all Meat Loaf shows, expect something dramatic and loud!
Beverley Festival 2013
The local racecourse will host a weekend of family-orientated folk-inspired music plus comedy and events from 21st to 23rd June. Performers include headliners The Proclaimers, Show of Hands and Oysterband plus Patrick Monahan, Gretchen Peters, Lucy Ward, Megson, LAU, John Shuttleworth, Circus Envy and many more. Friday costs £30, other days cost £45 or the weekend costs £98/£118.
The Extreme Stunt Show
This rip-roaring family show is a must for fans of all types of stunts, including motorized and human. As well as taking place in parks and open-spaces across the UK, The Extreme Stunt Show will perform at Great Yarmouth on the 8th and Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse on 31st May. Tickets start from £6 to £12.
Trevor Nelson
The award-winning Radio 1 and 1 Xtra presenter will appear at one of Goodwood's Three Friday Nights summer sessions on 21st June. Each of these events involves an evening's race-card followed by a renowned DJ on the decks so expect some classic RnB and soul from this man. Tickets on sale now, priced at £25 - £35.
Travis
Long time no hear or see for the Scottish chart-toppers whose big hits include "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" and "Coming Around". Their first UK show confirmed for 2013 (more to be announced) is at Sandown Park Racecourse - Surrey on 24th July and tickets cost from £37.
The Human League
Phil Oakey's '80s icons will perform two racecourse shows in advance of their appearance at London's Kew The Music 2013. The first is at the Wychwood Festival (see below) at Cheltenham on 1st June and the second is on 6th July at Leicester with The Blow Monkeys as support. Prices vary.
Ronan Keating
With a 20th anniversary Boyzone tour already looming on the horizon, Keating's schedule will be pretty busy in 2013. He has solo concerts at Doncaster Racecourse - Doncaster (29th June, £33 - £44) and a 'Ladies Night' gig at Carlisle Racecourse - Carlisle on Monday 5th August (£20) - both taking place after the races.
Madness
Those nutty boys continue to promote their acclaimed Top 10 album "Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da", with shows throughout the year at Chepstow, Newcastle, Carlisle, Sandown Park, Newmarket (part of Newmarket Nights) and Haydock Park. Prices vary depending on venue.
Blue
After a few years away, the boy-turned-man-band return with a full autumn UK tour, but prior to that have an and outdoor gig at Newmarket Nights on 28th June. Supporting the lads will be Liberty X and Five with tickets available now, priced at £33.
Happy Mondays
As well as other tour dates and festival slots in 2013, Shaun Ryder and crew will grace the grandstands at Sandown Park in Esher on 31st July (£37) and Leopardstown Racecourse - Dublin on 15th August (€17.65). Catch them straight after the racing as they pile into their many hits such as "Step On" and "Kinky Afro".
Scouting for Girls
The lads have confirmed a string of racecourse shows for August, including Doncaster on the 3rd, then Brighton, Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Windsor. All shows are available now priced from as little as £20 (Wolves) to £35 (Windsor).
Rita Ora
Already performing just about every bloomin' festival going this year [nine, and counting... - Ed], this Newbury Racecourse - Newbury show marks Ora's first headlining appearance of the summer, while 9th August sees her play Haydock Park. Catch her after the race-meetings in Newbury for £35 and Liverpool for £30.
Simple Minds
After successful tours of their back-catalogue resulted in sell-outs, their new "Celebrate" greatest hits is due for release, accompanied by a spring tour. On 21st June, Simple Minds will perform a show as part of Newmarket Nights, which will almost certainly be a sell-out in the sun. Tickets cost £35.
Ash
As part of Leopardstown Live, the alt-rock trio will appear at the racecourse for a show on 25th July. Tickets are on sale now priced at €17.65 and for that you'll get tracks from their past 20 years probably including "Girl From Mars", "Oh Yeah" and "Shining Light".
McFly
Now that they've got their greatest hits released ("Memory Lane"), you can bet on McFly performing most of this album on their UK tour, including a date at Aintree Racecourse (14th Jun, £20) and Market Rasen's 'Rasen Rock' (31st Aug, £21.60).
Keane
As part of the venue's ongoing Newmarket Nights season later this year, Keane have been confirmed to appear at Newmarket Racecourse - Newmarket on 9th August in what is currently an exclusive appearance. Tickets are on sale now, priced at £35 for the post-race meeting show - guests TBC.
Epsom Live
Plenty of '80s treats in store for those keen on the races on the picturesque Epsom Downs, including a show from Bananarama on 4th July (£22.50), plus shows from Spandau Ballet's singer Tony Hadley on 11th July (£22.50) and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra on 25th July (£18). More acts will be announced in due course - meanwhile, these three shows are on sale now.
Peter Andre
The Aussie stallion will be quick out of the stalls for an exclusive concert at Leicester on 11th August. For your £25 Family Day ticket, you also get more Oz action in the shape of Abba-covers outfit, Björn Again!
The Riptide Movement
Last year, the band burst into the Top 10 with their second album "Keep On, Keepin' On" and played their largest headlining show in Dublin. They will perform a Leopardstown Live show at Leopardstown Racecourse on 13th June - tickets are on sale now, priced from €17.65.
Hudson Taylor
Folk-pop duo Alfie and Harry scored a #1 on the Irish iTunes chart with their debut EP last year and look set to repeat that feat with their debut album due out in 2013. They will perform at Leopardstown Racecourse on 20th June - tickets for the Leopardstown Live gig are available now, priced at €17.65.
Ryan Sheridan
The singer-songwriter had a busy 2012 (Hard Rock Calling, supporting Rodrigo y Gabriela and the Electric Picnic) with 2013 looking just as involved. Leopardstown Racecourse will host a headline show on 11th July as part of their Leopardstown Live season, with tickets on sale now priced at €17.65.
Kaiser Chiefs
Before the band plays a massive hometown date at Leeds Arena in September, Kaiser Chiefs will be appearing at two racecourses. York is the first on 26th July, while the second is at Newmarket Nights on 2nd August. Prices range from £22 to £32.50.
Bananarama
What a treat for '80s music fans - the all-girl pop favourites will be cantering through their biggest hits at Leicester with support from Rick Astley on 15th June. Tickets are bound to be snapped up quick - they cost £25.
Wychwood Festival 2013
The line-up for Cheltenham Racecourse - Cheltenham's annual weekender has grown to now include The Beat on Friday night, The Human League, Kate Nash and Public Service Broadcasting on Saturday and Bill Bailey, Lucy Rose and DJ Craig Charles on Sunday. Weekenders cost £120, Daily from £37 to £53 and £10 for camping supplements.
Acoustic Festival of Britain 2013
A superb array of acoustically-minded acts will descend on Uttoxeter for this year's bash on 31st May - 2nd June, including The Proclaimers, The Christians, Baka Beyond, The Quireboys, The Hut People and more. The weekend costs £90/£105.
Newmarket Nights
The racecourse's summer season is now taking shape with Simple Minds on 21st June, Blue, Liberty X and Five on 28th June, Madness on 19th July, Kaiser Chiefs on 2nd August and Keane on the 9th. Tickets are on sale for all shows priced at £33-£35.
Summer Saturdays Live 2013
First past the post as far as announcements are concerned are Lawson and The Saturdays who will perform on 8th June and McFly on 24th August (afternoon start). Tickets vary from £15 to £29, less for children.
Chester Rocks 2013
Chester Rocks 2013 have announced The Wanted and Jessie J as headliners, with support provided by Union J and Lawson respectively. More names will be announced in due course. Tickets on sale now, priced at £32 per day with both big shows taking place at Chester Racecourse - Chester on 15th and 16th June.
The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular
Join Sinatra, Davis Jr and Deano as they recreate classic easy-jazz standards for the crowds at Sandown Park Racecourse on 23rd May as part of an extensive 2013 UK tour. The concert starts after the evening race-meeting and tickets cost £16.
Lemonfest 2013
The line-up for the one-day music festival held at Newton Abbott Racecourse on 1st June includes Lucy Rose, The Skints, Tall Ships, Towns, Mad Dog Mcrea, Adam Isaac and more TBC, including the dance tent and local bands. Prices start at £20 for admission or £30 with camping.
Scott Mills
Something a little different being offered as part of Rasen Rock at Lincolnshire's Market Rasen on 17th August - BBC Radio One's Scott Mills will be entertaining the crowds with classic tracks and banter for an early-evening club event. Tickets cost £18.
