Over 15,000 turn out for spectacular Darley Park Weekender
Published: 30 August 2023
Crowds enjoy the Darley Park Weekender. Picture by Mark Dunn
With pop and classical superstars as well as a guest appearance by everyone’s favourite panto Dame, Morgan Brind, Derby LIVE are celebrating another successful Darley Park weekender event. Across the three-day music extravaganza more than 15,000 were wowed by household names such as Peter Andre, Martin Kemp, Sinfonia Viva and others.
The weekender kicked off on Friday with the brand new Ultimate 90s event, hosted by Radio Derby’s daytime presenter Ian Skye. Over 4,700 people danced their socks off to fantastic performances from the poptastic Peter Andre, East 17, Liberty X and 5ive, plus DJ Mark Angels on the decks and local band Cassette Roulette, who were also there the next day.
Saturday night saw 80s Mix Tape return with 80s icons ABC, Hue and Cry and Martin Kemp, with his DJ set. Four-piece tribute act 80s Reunion recreated some of the very best chart-topping hits from legendary acts including Duran Duran, Madonna, Eurythmics and more. The night was presented by Radio Derby’s afternoon presenter Sally Pepper, dressed as a Rubik’s cube!
Sunday was of course, the ever-popular Darley Park Concert which featured incredible musical talent from Sinfonia Viva. It continues to be the one of the UK’s biggest outdoor classical concerts and attracted almost 7,000 people for an evening of exceptional entertainment with friends and family.
The Darley Park Weekender was staged by Derby LIVE, Derby City Council’s events team, with support from sponsors HUUB, WDS, Circulayo and The University of Derby.
This year, the site for the Darley Park Weekender changed to make the event more sustainable, accessible, safer and to reduce the impact on local residents. This meant a brand-new layout. The Derby LIVE team are listening to feedback, reflecting on all aspects of this year’s events and planning to make next year’s weekender even better!
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism, said:
What a fantastic weekend we’ve just had! Thousands of people, some travelling from across the country, to join us for a spectacular three days of brilliant music. I’m thrilled to say that overall, sales were higher than ever and it’s a huge testament to the hard-working teams behind the event.
We’re so excited that The Darley Park Weekender is coming back next year. This has been made possible thanks to the successful Friday and Saturday night events which help to subsidise the traditional Sunday concert. It’s great that the whole weekend has been embraced to become a highlight of Derby’s calendar, enjoyed by thousands of people, both from the city and the wider area.
Looking forward to next year, tickets for The Darley Park Weekender are already on sale. Both the 80s Mix Tape and Ultimate 90s shows will be returning with new superstar line-ups.
80s Mix Tape, in what will be its third year, will once again be transporting us back to the era famous for its shoulder pads and perms, where leggings were a staple, and the music was epic. Friday 30 August 2024 will see Jason Donovan, Chesney Hawkes and Scott Mills take to the stage in this party to remember.
Jason Donovan broke many hearts as boy-next-door Scott Robinson in Neighbours, before going on to top the charts alongside co-star Kylie Minogue. His career as popstar and actor went stellar, with highlights including 1989 album Ten Good Reasons and his performance in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the West End.
Chesney Hawkes rose to fame with massive number one hit The One and Only and went on to have a varied career as popstar, musical theatre actor and television personality.
DJ Scott Mills has been ruling the BBC Radio 1 and 2 airwaves since 1998, after starting his career in the 80s aged just 16. He’ll take the party up a notch as he takes to the decks performing a banging 80s DJ set.
Joining them will be The 80s Reunion, a four-piece tribute act that authentically recreate the look and sound of the decade. With awesome dancers and a live band, they will recreate some of the very best chart-topping hits from icons such as Duran Duran, The Human League, Madonna, Eurythmics and more.
It joined the Weekender for the first time this year, and Ultimate 90s will see another crop of poptastic names heading to Derby on Saturday 31 August 2024, with Honeyz, Chris Moyles and special guests Blue on the line-up.
R&B girl group Honeyz had five UK top 10 hits Finally Found, End of the Line, Love of a Lifetime, Never Let You Down and Won't Take It Lying Down. Original members Celena Cherry and Mariama Goodman will take to the stage to bang out the hits.
Brit Award-winning boyband Blue, consisting of members Simon Webbe, Duncan James, Antony Costa and Lee Ryan, have sold 15 million records worldwide. All Rise for multiple hits including Too Close, If You Come Back and Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word.
DJ Chris Moyles is best known for The Chris Moyles Show, on BBC Radio 1 from 2004 and more recently on Radio X. The show came live from Derby’s Guildhall Theatre in 2010, with guests McFly! He’ll take the party up a notch as he takes to the decks with his 90s Hangover DJ set.
Joining them will be the Ultimate Boy Band Party Show, taking you back to the 90s with over 30 number one hits. With more key-changes than a Casio PT-50 the boys will be body poppin’ to bangers from Take That, Nsync and The Backstreet Boys as well as stepping from their stools for favourites from Westlife and many more… cue the wind machine!
Local Derby band Cassette Roulette are a five-piece band made up of full-time professional musicians and two of the best female singers around. They’ve entertained crowds at hundreds of events across the UK, playing the perfect mix of old favourites and modern classics to keep the dance-floor full, all killer no filler! They will be performing at both the 80s Mix Tape and Ultimate 90s.
Then on Sunday 1 September, audience favourite The Darley Park Concert will close The Darley Park Weekender 2024. The concert, which has been taking place for three decades, will have more classical music from Sinfonia Viva and the traditional fireworks in one of the UK’s biggest outdoor classical concerts.
As the Orchestra of the East Midlands, Sinfonia Viva has been a well-loved and respected organisation since its formation in 1982. As well as performing around the country, it is devoted to delivering creative community projects.
Tickets for The Darley Park Weekender 2024 are on sale now. Buy now to get tickets for Ultimate 90s and 80s Mix Tape at the amazing Early Bird price of just £25 for adults until the 30 September 2023, under 16s £15 and under 5s going free. Tickets for The Darley Park Concert bought before 31 July 2024 are from just £5 for adults, under 16s are £2.