Texas

Over the past few years, Newmarket’s July Course has paid host to some huge bands. The events follow the same format; during the afternoon there will be races (so you can have a flutter, should you wish), and later in the evening, around 20 minutes after the final race, an act will take to a stage in the premier enclosure. Despite their 22,000-ish capacity, the gigs feel intimate, and like any British outdoor event, there’s a bit of a festival feel to the occasion.

People come for a plethora of reasons from all over East Anglia and beyond; many making a day of it, while some just turn up for the show. Others will leave a few songs in. Most people are dressed for a summer wedding (although gladrags are not compulsory), but as the evening draws in, and the British weather inevitably arrives, you’ll be glad of warmer threads (or maybe a beverage or two).

Events like this work best when the act has a lot of big songs; the audience love to sing along, so catchy tunes are ideal. Texas, with their 13 top ten singles, are perfect. Opening with 1989’s ‘I Don’t Need A Lover’, Sharleen Spiteri had everyone instantly hooked. She explains that the first time she’d played a racecourse she’d been somewhat bewildered by the sea of fascinators in front of her. Clearly a more trendy bunch, there were far fewer on Friday night.

Hit after hit follow, with Sharleen balancing vocals and crowd interaction perfectly. Recent single ‘Tell That Girl’ has a particularly good reception. The skies open, ironically, just before ‘Summer Son’. We’re told that this is one of the first times that the sun hasn’t shone on them during their performance. Of course, the rain doesn’t stop the party, and the audience carry on dancing throughout.

Newmarket Nights continue through the summer on Fridays, and with plenty more ace bands to catch, it’s well-worth a skive off work for.