Top chart acts announced for Derby Summer Sessions

Published: 30 November 2023

Some of the UK’s most celebrated music acts are heading to Derby for the Summer Sessions festival. Tom Jones, Madness and Becky Hill will headline the first ever Derby Summer Sessions event at Markeaton Park. 

National event promoter Cuffe and Taylor have been working closely with Derby City Council to bring this new event to Derby. The headliners will be joined by special guests Rick Astley, Gabrielle, the Lightning Seeds and Deco for the three-day event, which takes place from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 July 2024. Tickets go on sale on Friday 1 December at 9am.

Multi-BRIT Award-winning Becky Hill, a pop powerhouse with a reputation as a pioneer in electronic music, will kick off the event on the Friday. Known for her distinctive voice and hit dance-pop collaborations with everyone from David Guetta to Little Sims, she has written and/or performed on 17 UK Top 40 singles, including five Top 10 singles and a UK Number 1.

On the Saturday, Welsh legend Tom Jones will captivate the crowds with his powerful voice, which has been enthralling audiences worldwide for over six decades. With a catalogue of hits including It’s Not Unusual, She’s A Lady and Sexbomb, Sir Tom has sold more than 100 million records and won a raft of awards, cementing his place in music history as one of the most successful artists of all time esteemed and influential figure in the music industry. 

Also set to grace the stage on Saturday is Gabrielle, who emerged in the early 1990s with her soulful voice and decade-defining hits including Out Of Reach and the multi-platinum selling single Dreams.

The world-class weekend of live music will continue on Sunday with Madness. The iconic British band has been delighting fans since the late 1970s with their infectious blend of ska, pop, and new wave. Hits including Our House and Baggy Trousers are synonymous with their quirky and upbeat style and have cemented their status as one of the UK’s most beloved bands.

Joining them is Rick Astley, who became a global pop sensation in the late 1980s with his era-defining classic Never Gonna Give You Up and is still enjoying huge chart success today. The Lightning Seeds are also set to perform, known for their melodic and cheerful indie pop. Completing the party will be Deco, delivering 1980s synth-speckled contemporary pop hits.

Councillor Baggy Shanker, leader of Derby City Council, said:

We’re thrilled that the Summer Sessions is coming to Derby for the first time, and what an amazing line-up of acts we have to look forward to.

Markeaton Park’s beautiful open spaces make it an ideal location for an event like this. We look forward to welcoming the Summer Sessions to the city for what promises to be a fantastic addition to our 2024 calendar.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism, added:

It’s fantastic news that this exciting event will be held in our vibrant city. We’re delighted to welcome such stellar artists to Markeaton Park for what’s set to be an unforgettable weekend. 

Peter Taylor, co-founder of Cuffe & Taylor, said:

We are incredibly proud and excited to present the inaugural Derby Summer Sessions line-up, featuring a spectacular array of talent that spans generations and genres.

We're bringing the best of the music world to Derby to create some lasting music memories,from Becky Hill's pop anthems, to the enduring charisma of Sir Tom Jones and of course, the unmissable energy of Madness.

Tickets for Derby Summer Sessions will be on sale on the Derby LIVE website from 9am on Friday 1 December.

Culture