Deacon Blue At Newmarket Racecourse Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn
And we’re off! Newmarket Nights Events really are one of the most brilliant nights out and amazing value for money. With something for everyone – sports enthusiasts and music lovers alike, we were thrilled to be offered tickets to the Deacon Blue Newmarket Night on Friday 16th August 2024.
The brilliance of these events lies in the intimate feel to the evening, as the concert is coupled with racing, ticket sales are restricted and with such a small crowd you have the chance to be much closer to the artists than at a traditional concert venue. Starting late afternoon with the exhilaration of world class racing and topped off with a feel-good, amazing concert by one of our favourite bands Scotland’s Deacon Blue, what more could we ask for!
The organisation is all you would expect from such a professional and experienced venue. We parked with ease and were inside enjoying ourselves before we knew it. The many food and drink options on offer means that there is a real food festival vibe just thrown in for good measure! With such a range from fine dining restaurants for a special, sit down meal to more relaxed street food and specialist champagne bars through to pubs for a pint or two, Newmarket Nights has it all and more! Although busy, it never felt crowded, with guests enjoying drinks, others eating al fresco and some simply relaxing and having their own picnics, there were many places to sit and study race cards and perhaps have a little flutter!
When the races had finished, everyone was swiftly allowed entry to the Premier enclosure for the start of the concert. Spectators could choose to be part of the crowd near or further back from the stage, or to sit in stands to the side as we did, we were all assured a great view of the concert.
Celebrating 35 years with a greatest hits album and this tour, ‘All The Old 45s’, Deacon Blue are incredibly still at the top of their game. Having grown up listening to Deacon Blue, this was the music from our childhood, a nostalgic feel good trip down memory lane and an amazing night to remember! Looking sharp and with those unmistakeable impeccable vocals unchanged, complete respect to Ricky Ross for a truly brilliant performance. Ricky’s tones are perfectly complemented by his partner, Lorraine McIntosh who is just mesmerising, with an almost spiritual resonance to her performance. The quality of sound was outstanding, with perfect acoustics and harmonies and with seamless transitions between stripped back songs to more high energy numbers. With such phenomenal and timeless classic hits such as ‘Fergus Sings the Blues’, ‘Chocolate Girl’ and ‘Real Gone Kid’, the band lit up the stage!
Wow! Deacon Blue at Newmarket Nights – non stop action from start to finish. exciting racing followed by first class music, a brilliant atmosphere and a beautiful setting, just the perfect night out – in the words of Deacon Blue, ‘You Can Have It All’!
Rating: 5/5
Deacon Blue was performing at Newmarket Races on 16th August 2024, here is the link to the event page for more information and also about other artists that will be performing: https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/newmarket/events-tickets/newmarket-nights/deacon-blue/