RACEGOERS at York Racecourse can look forward to an hour’s set by ska legends Madness after this evening’s meeting, while tomorrow afternoon’s card will be followed by live entertainment by four finalists from the 2009 series of The X Factor, Olly Murs, Lucie Jones, Rachel Adedeji and Jamie Archer.

York Racecourse is installing its biggest ever stage and sound system for the shows at the southern end of Bustardthorpe Lawn on the main grandstand, with giant screens to enhance the viewing experience.

Please note: in order to be closest to the stage, racegoers need to book entry to County Stand or Grandstand and Paddock. Racegoers in the course enclosure will not be able to cross to the stands side after the last race, although a paid upgrade will be possible during racing, subject to availability. There will be no admission after the last race on each day.


Just a quickie with … Olly Murs, 2009 runner-up on The X Factor, now on track to play at York Racecourse tomorrow

Your debut single, Please Don’t Let Me Go, will be out next month…

“I’m so excited to be releasing this track. I co-wrote it with Steve Robson and Claude Kelly and it’s a really cool, summery tune – you can blast this one in the car with the windows down and the sun shining.

“I’m really pleased that I co-wrote it – that was one of the things I wanted to get involved in most – as it was important to me to be releasing an original song.”

Indeed you have been co-writing a lot of songs for your debut album. Was that something you always knew you could do?

“I didn’t want to just be given a song to sing, I wanted to have it be mine and have my personality in it and I think that shows on the record.

“I’d never done any writing before, but since The X Factor tour finished I’ve been going into writing sessions with lots of ideas. The songs are about real life, you know – relationships, mates and various situations you find yourself in.”

How is the album progressing?

“It’s due for release later this year. I’m collaborating with Steve Robson and Claude Kelly, who’s worked with Jason Derulo, Miley Cyrus and Kelly Clarkson; Roy Stride from Scouting For Girls; John Shanks; Eg White; Trevor Horn; Wayne Hector; and Matty Benbrook.”

How has your life changed since making The X Factor final?

“A lot has happened since September last year when I was on the show. I’ve learned loads, but the main thing is not to take myself too seriously.

“If you’d said to me a year ago that I’d be releasing a single and making an album and performing all over the country, I’d have laughed and said ‘Yeah, whatever’. It’s such a huge opportunity and I’m enjoying every minute of it.

“I don’t want to sound cheesy, but I have to thank all the people who voted for me on the show, as it’s them that kept me in it and allowed me to do this.”

What do you enjoy most about performing live?

“It has always been the thing I love most. I love being up there, and especially the dancing element to what I do. I just do what comes naturally, what feels like fun.

“At the live shows I can get away with a few things I wouldn’t do on live telly, especially for the ladies, if you know what I mean. It doesn’t matter if I’m in a pub, club or an arena, I’m always having fun when I’m on stage and I try and get that over to the audience. If I sometimes make a bit of an idiot of myself, well, so what?”

Finally, Olly, do you have any message for your X Factor fans in York?

“I’ve never been to York before, so getting to play a gig there is a great way to visit for the first time. I’m really looking forward to the show.”

• Olly Murs releases Please Don’t Let Me Go on Epic Records/Syco Music on August 29. The single will be available as a CD and download with extra track This One’s For The Girls.


Some ‘Mad’ facts about Suggs and co

Who: Madness.

Where and when in York: York Racecourse, tonight.

Why: Playing live at Music Showcase Weekend, after last race at 8.30pm.

When band formed: Early 1979.

Where formed: Camden, London.

Nickname: The Nutty Boys.

Biggest hit singles: One Step Beyond,1979; Baggy Trousers, 1980; Embarrassment,1980; Grey Day,1981; Shut Up,1981; It must Be Love (Labi Siffre cover),1981; House Of Fun, number one, April 1982; Our House,1982; Cardiac Arrest,1982; Wings Of A Dove, 1983.

Studio albums released: One Step Beyond, 1979; Absolutely, 1980; 7, 1981; The Rise & Fall, 1982; Keep Moving, 1984; Mad Not Mad, 1985; Wonderful, 1999; The Dangermen Sessions Volume One, cover versions project, 2005; The Liberty Of Norton Folgate, 2009.

Band members: Graham “Suggs” McPherson, singer; Mike Barson, keyboards; Lee “Kix” Thompson, saxophone; Chris “Chrissie Boy” Foreman, guitar; Mark “Bedders” Bedford, bass, Daniel “Woody” Woodgate, drums ; Carl Smyth, aka Chas Smash, horns, vocals, nutty dancer.

The offshoot: After band split in 1986, Bedford and Woodford joined Voice Of The Beehive. Madness reformed in 1988, with line-up of McPerson, Thompson, Foreman and Smyth, plus guests Jerry Dammers, of The Specials, and Steve Nieve and Bruce Thomas, from The Attractions. Split after making only one album, The Madness.

Comeback gig: Original line-up reformed for two shows in London’s Finsbury Park, 1992. Subsequent Madstock reunions have followed.

Their musical: Our House, script by Tim Firth, songs by Madness, ran at Cambridge Theatre, London, October 2002 to August 2003. Won 2003 Olivier Award for Best Musical.

Solo off-shoot: Graham “Suggs” McPherson released solo album The Lone Ranger in 1995; starred alongside Jeff Goldblum in The Tall Guy in 1989; appeared in The Edge Of Love in 2008; and went on to do TV and radio work. Also made Birdseye Fish Fingers advert in 2007.

Previous visit to North Yorkshire: Played at Dalby Forest, June 2007.

What’s next for Madness? On tour until August.

• The X Factor show at York Racecourse tomorrow will run from 5.40pm to 7.15pm.