Madness and X Factor contestants to feature in York Racecourse concerts

The following day, in a repeat of last year’s after-racing Saturday entertainment, runner-up Ollie Murs will lead the line-up for The Stars From The X Factor, also featuring fellow 2009 finalists Jamie, Rachel and Lucy.

James Brennan, the course’s head of marketing and sponsorship, said: “We don’t know what to expect the attendance will be on the Friday night, but Madness draw 20,000 when they play at Newmarket, and if we get 20,000 on Friday and 30,000-plus on the Saturday, it’s good news for us, good news for the hotels and good news for the wider city.”

Last year’s equivalent Saturday meeting attracted a crowd of more than 35,000, when the day finished with the first X Factor show at the course.

“It was a glorious sunny day and it seemed to capture the imagination,” said Mr Brennan.

Negotiations to secure a band of the stature of London ska legends Madness began last autumn.

“We have dabbled with tribute acts so far for Friday evenings to test the water, and while by definition they have to be great performers and generate wonderful support once they’re there, they are not something that makes you say: ‘I must book for that’,” said Mr Brennan.

“So we started looking for a headline act in their own right last October and went through the process of thinking, ‘which band would we like?’ and ‘who is touring?’, and then came the discussion of the fee. It’s been an interesting journey to get to the gig.”

Asked how much Madness were costing York Racecourse, Mr Brennan said: “By the time you add in the stage, it’s five figures and then some, and it’s worth saying the staging and the sound will be better than before.

“We’re now in discussions about how the show will be presented, and we know that we’ll be working our two big screens very hard.”

Race-day tickets for both days are already on sale with “And Live Music” as part of the cost. Tickets can be booked on 01904 620911.