Get ready to dance as 3-day festival returns to park
THE Darley Park Weekender will return to Derby later this year for three days of live music, including appearances from 1980s stars Pat Sharp, Carol Decker and Nik Kershaw.
The three-day event, which begins on Friday, August 26, will end with the Darley Park Concert and fireworks on Sunday, August 28.
The Friday will be a night of White Island-inspired music called Classic Ibiza and the Saturday will be an 80s Mix Tape evening featuring stars from the era.
It will be the second time Derby City Council, through its entertainment arm Derby Live, has extended the annual Darley Park Concert into a three-day extravaganza.
A spokesman for Derby Live said: “After a successful first year hosting three days of family entertainment, the beautiful surroundings and natural amphitheatre of Darley Park will again host a weekend of music for everyone to enjoy.
“This year our brand-new event 80s Mix Tape features T’Pau’s Carol Decker, Nik Kershaw and DJ Pat Sharp, and joins the line-up alongside chilled Balearic beats with Classic Ibiza and Derby’s annual summer highlight with classical music and fireworks at the Darley Park Concert.”
Tickets for all three days can be purchased from Derby Live.
What can we expect on the Classic Ibiza night?
The evening starts with a “chillout DJ set” performed by former Pacha Ibiza resident Jose Luis. The Urban Soul Orchestra (USO) and DJ Goldierocks will then take to the stage for the Sundowner Set. Goldierocks will then perform a house DJ set, before she is rejoined on stage by USO for the dance set and laser light show.
Derby Live promises a “magical four-hour tour of the very-best in house music”, headlined by an orchestra which has worked alongside the likes of Groove Armada, Robert Miles and Nightmares On Wax.
TIMINGS:
Gates - 4pm
Chill-out DJ set - 6pm Sundowner Set - 7.45pm Interval - 8.45pm
House DJ set followed by dance set and laser show - 9.15pm
Ends - 10.35pm
What’s on the bill for the 80s Mix Tape night?
Opening this 80s evening is local four-piece band Cassette Roulette who will be following on from the success of the Christmas light switch-on to provide a mix of old favourites.
Following them on stage is The 80s Reunion, which stars members from tribute show 80s Mania. They will recreate some of the best chart-topping hits of the era from icons such as Duran Duran, The Human League, Madonna, Eurythmics and more.
Continuing the party is Carol Decker. She is best known as the lead singer of pop-rock band T’Pau, who scored international success in the late 80s with the hit China in Your Hand.
There will also be music from singer, songwriter, musician and record producer Nik Kershaw including Top 40 hits such as Wouldn’t It Be Good, I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, and The Riddle.
Closing the night, 80s DJ Pat Sharp will take to the decks, mixing up a storm of high-energy hits to keep you dancing. Pat was a staple of the 80s with numerous radio shows to his name and is of course well-known for presenting the ITV show Fun House.