Pete Tong to become first DJ to play F1 grid
Pete Tong MBE will become the first DJ to play on the grid at Silverstone racing circuit when he performs at this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
The historic set will take place on Sunday 7 July ahead of the Formula 1 race– and a day after the legendary British DJ performs on the mainstage for Pete Tong presents Ibiza Classics with Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra.
Tong’s Saturday set is part of a four-day live music offering also headlined by Kings Of Leon (Thursday 4 July), Stormzy (Friday 5) and Rudimental (Sunday 7).
Additional acts include The Snuts (Thursday), Self Esteem (Thursday), Jordss (Friday), Ghetts (Friday), Arielle Free (Saturday) and Anna De Ferran (Sunday).
The famous motor racing circuit this year has reconfigured its music arena for an increased capacity of 60,000, plus enhanced viewing and a bigger stage.
“It’s fair to say the 2024 British Grand Prix is going to be bigger and better than ever before”
Last year’s British Grand Prix attracted record crowds of 480,000 people and featured performances from Calvin Harris, Tom Grennan, Cat Burns, Jess Glynne, Black Eyed Peas and Jax Jones.
The live music offering is provided at no extra cost to British GP ticket holders.
“Our long-term ambition has always been to attract the biggest and best artists in the world to Silverstone to put on a spectacular show for the British fans,” says Silverstone’s commercial director Nick Read.
“With Kings of Leon, Stormzy, Pete Tong and Rudimental on this year’s line-up, it’s fair to say the 2024 British Grand Prix is going to be bigger and better than ever before! We knew we had a massive job on our hands following the great success of last year’s music offering, so we are thrilled to be able to take things up another notch.”
The 2024 British Grand Prix’s entertainment offering also includes a comedy stage on Friday and Saturday night, with Russell Kane, Troy Hawke, and Al Murray confirmed to perform.
A 10,000-capacity Big Top stage will feature immersive family entertainment, while a new 2,000-capacity fan zone will broadcast England and selective Euros matches.
Formula 1, which was acquired by Live Nation shareholder Liberty Media in 2017, has increasingly utilised live music as part of its Grand Prix weekend festivities.
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Cruïlla promoter announces spin-off concerts
Barcelona festival Cruïlla has announced the launch of a new concert series, to be held at venues across the city throughout the autumn.
Cruïlla de Tardor – meaning ‘Cruïlla (“Crossroads” in Catalan) in Autumn’ – will kick off on 15 October with a show by Puerto Rican singer/poet iLe at the Apolo (1,100-cap.) and come to a close on 7 December with a Crystal Fighters (pictured) concert at the Sant Jordi Club (3,000-cap.).
Other performers are Andrew Bird (4 November at Barts), Kate Tempest (8 November at the Apolo), Barcelona electro act La Sra. Tomasa (12 November at Salamander) and French electro-swing band Caravan Palace (1 December at the Razzmatazz).
According to festival director Jordi Herreruela, Cruïlla de Tardor was “born from the desire to maintain [the relationship] with fans and artists we currently only have once a year, in July”. He hopes, he adds, Tardor will become “one of the most important concert series of the year”.
The 2016 edition of Cruïlla – first held in 2011 – was headlined by Damien Rice, Rudimental, Robert Plant, Alabama Shakes and Tardor performers Crystal Fighters.
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