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 | North East Post Weekend Edition |
Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
12:00 PM 10th September 2024
arts
Radio 2 Party In The Park, Preston
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Photo: BBC
Opening at Preston's Moor Park, Travis had the unenviable task of being the first act to appear at the early doors time of 1pm on the inaugural day. However, the job becomes a little easier when you have songs in your arsenal, such as Driftwood and the captivating Why Does It Always Rain On Me? Thankfully the weather stayed fine, with the band even finding time to include a faithful version of the Aztec Camera hit, Somewhere in My Heart.
Shaznay Lewis, a former member of All Saints and now a solo artist, provided the Preston audience with a brief overview of her career, which included the worldwide hit song Never Ever, before captivating them with an exceptional rendition of George Michael's Freedom.
Pixie Lott surprised with a cover of Shaboozey’s A Bar Song (Tipsey) as well as a duet with the Radio 2 presenter Rylan Clark on Cry Me Out. As Lott concluded with the uplifting All About Tonight, her absence from the music scene of late seemed of little importance.
Craig David, appearing with his band, gave one of the most inclusive, incisive, and invigorating perform0ances of the day. Whoever had the good sense to team him up with a band that were as much a part of the act as David was deserves applause. Besides dropping his big hits, he even managed to showcase his new single, In Your Hands. With the performance setting the scene for his winter tour, David and his entourage rightly received a true northern welcome from the 37,000 strong crowd.
Kim Wilde's entrancing set proved that she is still relevant and current, quickly changing anyone's opinion that she was a throwback from the eighties. Her introductory hit, Kids in America, concluded an all-too-short performance.
Snow Patrol may have that Marmite effect on many; you either like the act or you don’t, though when you hear the humongous crowd singing in unison to Chasing Cars and Open Your Eyes, even the most cynical observer would have been moved.
If one act defined the pure pop of the early millennium, Sugababes would be the most likely girl band to spring to mind. Now back to their original line-up, the three pieces delighted with a set that included Push The Button and About You Now.
“Preston, I want you to sing with me” is an unlikely invitation you would expect to hear in Lancashire from one of the world’s top recording artist. When Sting was the top act, the invitation became even more appealing. Reverting back to a three-piece set-up, as in The Police, the dynamic energy and musical craftsmanship on display from the power rock trio was timeless. A golden setlist of some of the most recognisable pop songs of the last forty years included nuggets such as Message in a Bottle and Every Breath You Take.
Earlier in the day, Radio 2 In The Park took a moment to commemorate broadcasting legend Steve Wright with a bespoke video featuring special messages from his fellow colleagues.
The video was introduced by Dermot O’Leary and Bob Harris.
Earlier this year we lost the great Steve Wright. Steve was somebody I met way, way, back in 1977. He loved radio and I’ve got to say through the years he was not only a great inspiration, but a wonderful friend who always wanted to talk about music, loved talking about the radio, particularly the big FM sound in America. He always made me laugh out loud, he was such fun to be with – whether I was with him, together, or whether I heard him on the radio.
I know it sounds like a bit of a cliché, it really is a family at Radio 2. We’re so tight. So, when we lost him, we were devastated. He was so welcoming to me when I joined Radio 2. As Bob says, he was a great friend to I think all of us at Radio 2. He was there for almost 20 years. Like we all loved him. He was so kind to everyone. As our colleague Liza Tarbuck said recently, he always made sure you had a better day. We miss Steve a great deal. He’d have found this whole thing so awkward, wouldn’t he. He’d have hated being the centre of attention. But we have put together just a little special something to honour his memory in what would have been his 70th year.
Following the video, Radio 2 In The Park rightly asked the audience to honour his memory with "some love and applause," a fitting tribute in his 70th year.
Scott Mills
Photo: BBC/Sarah Jeynes/James Watkins©
Delta Goodrem might be better known for her role in the Australian soap opera Neighbours; conversely, Goodrem proved that her singing career is one that deserves recognition. She showcased her vocal talent by performing a mashup of the Neighbours theme tune with Kyle Minogue's Locomotion and her track Back to Your Heart with Tina Turner's Simply the Best.
Paul Heaton has been in the music business long enough to know how to make the most of his thirty-minute set. The vocal interplay between him and his new singing partner Rianne Downey worked best on the Beautiful South classics, Rotterdam (or anywhere), and Perfect 10.
Shed Seven brought their brand of Britpop across the Pennines from York, along with a brass and string section that added extra emphasis to tracks Going for Gold and Chasing Rainbows. Lead singer Rick Witter danced around the stage as if he were still back in 1994, when the band had their initial success, though the new track Talk of the Town sounded relevant and contemporary.
With the vibe staying back in the early nineties, Gabrielle performed a soulful version of her 1993 worldwide chart hit, Dreams. Though far from resting on her laurels, the likeable single showcased her vocal prowess on Out of Reach and Sunshine—albeit with rain still teeming down.
Sister Sledge, featuring Kathy Sledge, emerged from the disco scene in the late seventies. Their hits, Thinking of You and We Are Family, have become dance and radio staples. Their new track Promise Me, performed with finesse and flair, promises to keep the dance floors burning.
Manic Street Preachers aptly dropped Keep Falling on My Head before debuting their new single. Thirty years ago, the thought of hearing the band on Radio 2 might have seemed unthinkable. With the mellowing of their early sound, their new single Decline and Fall rightly fits into the station's musical policy, though some of the group’s earlier followers may think that the band has lost their edginess that once prevailed.
With Pet Shop Boys Chris Lowe being born in Blackpool, the headline slot seemed like a welcome homecoming. Initially, a minimalist set transitioned into a more elaborate setting featuring a full band and dancers. The songs remained the focal point of their performance, with It's A Sin and West End Girls concluding another successful Radio 2 weekend.
Michael Ball
Photo: BBC/Sarah Jeynes/James Watkins©