ONE of the best-selling artists of the 21st century will take to the stage at Cartmel Racecourse as part of an international tour next year.
Award-winning singer-songwriter David Gray will perform at the unique Cumbrian course on Friday, June 26 following a full day of British horse racing.
The event will mark the 20th anniversary of the landmark album White Ladder – which spent three years in the top 100 chart and was the platform which propelled David to world-wide acclaim.
Ticket sales for the hotly anticipated concert were launched today.
Geraldine McKay, Cartmel Racecourse manager, said she was thrilled to have secured one of the best singer-songwriters in a generation for concert day 2020.
“We are genuinely delighted to be able to announce David Gray for our June concert day.
“He has so many fantastic, timeless hits that everyone loves.
“We know he’ll be perfect for the Cartmel stage. It’s going to be an unforgettable day.”
David will perform the entire White Ladder album on stage at Cartmel.
The iconic Number 1 hit Babylon will celebrate its 20th birthday in June along with the seminal tracks This year’s Love, Sail Away, Please Forgive Me and Say Hello, Wave Goodbye.
David said: “It’s the 20th anniversary of White Ladder, a unique record with its own remarkable history.
“Jammed full with big, open hearted songs and flooded with a raw emotional energy.
“It’s an album that came from nowhere to steal the hearts of millions all over the world, completely transforming my own life in the process.
“Twenty years on it feels like White Ladder is just as alive for people now as it was back then.
“So to celebrate this milestone, I will be releasing a special anniversary version of the album and assembling all the original band members with all the original equipment, in order to take White Ladder out on the road and recreate the record in its entirety.”
Cartmel Racecourse enjoys nine days of National Hunt horse racing every year.
The 2020 season gets underway with the three-day Whit Meeting on Saturday, May 23.
Concert Day takes place in June and sees a renowned act entertain the crowds in the surroundings of the beautiful Cartmel Valley.
It has previously hosted Simply Red, Jools Holland, Boyzone, Sir Tom Jones, Sir Cliff Richard and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Geraldine McKay added: “Our whole team are over the moon that David Gray will be performing here at Cartmel next year.
“This is a very special venue with an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. We’re all looking forward to Friday, June 26 and we know our racegoers will too.”
To celebrate the launch, a limited number of tickets have been released costing £39 each and include a day of racing as well as the concert itself.
Once these are gone, tickets will be sold at the full price. Under 12s go free.
Tickets can be booked online via cartmel-racecourse.co.uk or by calling 015395 36340.