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Jeff Lynne’s ELO are heading to Hull as part of the 2017 UK City of Culture celebrations.

It is announced today that the globally-renowned group known for their epic live shows will perform a headline concert at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday July 1.

Tickets priced from £35 go on sale at 9am Friday December 16 and are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Jeff Lynne’s ELO continue to go from strength to strength with last year’s platinum album, Alone In The Universe a runaway success both commercially and critically. This year has also seen All Over The World – The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra tip more than one million sales.

The Hull concert is being presented as a collaboration between music promoters Cuffe and Taylor and the Hull UK City of Culture team.

Martin Green, CEO and Director of Hull 2017, said: “Having ELO confirm their plans to come to Hull in 2017 adds to what is turning into an amazing year of music for this city.

“Hull is already a brilliant place for music and we are thrilled that it is attracting more talent during its UK City of Culture year.”

James Deacon, MD of the KCOM’s SuperStadium Management Company added: “Having ELO confirm their plans to come to the KCOM Stadium is amazing after the legacy of Rod Stewart and we look forward to working again with Cuffe and Taylor for such an important year in Hull.”

The announcement Jeff Lynne’s ELO are coming to Hull comes at the end of a phenomenal year where they have enjoyed a sold-out UK arena tour and a crowd-thrilling performance in the legendary ‘tea-time slot’ at Glastonbury.

With a distinct style that seamlessly and innovatively blends rock, pop and classical, Jeff Lynne’s ELO have had 26 UK Top 40 singles to date selling in excess of 50 million records worldwide.

Widely agreed upon as one of the greatest record producers in music history, Jeff was also a co-founding member of The Travelling Wilburys together with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Tom Petty before producing and collaborating with some of the biggest names in music including The Beatles.

Tickets to see Jeff Lynne’s ELO at Hull’s KCOM Stadium go on sale at 9am Friday December 16 and are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Following the stunning success of their Platinum selling album Together and 29 sold out shows across the UK in 2016, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe today announced they will play Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2017.

The nation’s favourite musical theatre star and its most beloved tenor will perform outdoors at some of the UK’s most beautiful stately homes and venues next summer before an arena tour in December.

And music promoters Cuffe and Taylor are delighted to reveal that as part of this UK tour Michael Ball and Alfie Boe will head to Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Wednesday June 28.

Tickets for the concert go on sale at 10am on Friday December 16.

Michael and Alfie said: “There are simply no words for how incredible this is for us. We have always wanted to work together, it was just a case of getting the timing right.

“We are so grateful to all our fans who have supported us and everyone involved for believing in us. We are literally having the best time and are so happy with the success of the album and the tour.”

Michael and Alfie, who first performed together a decade ago in Kismet at the London Coliseum, have received a plethora of prestigious awards, record-breaking sales and chart successes.

The two critically-acclaimed artists released their Number One album Together on Decca in October. It features a stunning repertoire from the greatest Broadway shows as well as classic songs both stars have always wanted to record.

Together has gone Platinum in just six weeks and is on track to become the biggest selling domestic release of 2016.

Michael and Alfie join Cliff Richard, The Beach Boys, George Benson, Jess Glynne, Olly Murs, UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey Virtue and indie stars The Charlatans among the star-studded headliners already announced at Scarborough OAT for 2017.

Peter Taylor, director of Cuffe and Taylor, said: “What can you say about Michael Ball and Alfie Boe that has not been said already – they are quite simply musical superstars.

“Following the release of their stunning new album they have been packing out theatres across the UK. Nobody is going to want to miss them together on stage at Scarborough Open Air Theatre – this is going to be a really, really special night.”

Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday December 16. They are available from www.livenation.co.uk and www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk (0844 844 0444) and www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com or in person from Scarborough Open Air Theatre Box Office (01723 818111) and the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau (01723 383636).

Legendary 10-time Grammy Award winner George Benson – whose illustrious career spans five hit-packed decades – is to play Scarborough Open Air Theatre next summer.

The live show on SATURDAY JULY 1, 2017 will feature George’s unmistakable voice, masterful guitar playing and an evening packed with unforgettable classics.

Tickets for the concert at Scarborough OAT – Europe’s largest outdoor theatre – go on sale at 9am on Friday December 16.

George said: “I’m looking forward to performing at Scarborough Open Air Theatre next summer. The UK fans are some of the best in the world and every show is a special experience for us all. Come and join the Benson Party!”

George has played to sell-out audiences this year, including a wonderful night at London’s Royal Albert Hall, following on from the 2015 release of George Benson: The Ultimate Collection – a 36-song collection of his greatest hits.

His stunning back catalogue includes such classics as Give Me The Night, Lady Love Me (One More Time}, Turn Your Love Around, Love X Love and Never Give Up On A Good Thing and In Your Eyes.

The winner of 10 Grammy Awards, as well as becoming a NEA Jazz Master, George has used his jazz roots as the foundation for an engaging mix of pop, R&B and other shades that add up to a style that appeals to a broad mainstream audience.

He continues to astound and engage audiences taking his creative expression to new heights as he did with 2013’s Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole an exemplary work of art and fitting tribute to a legend.

George joins Cliff Richard, The Beach Boys, Olly Murs, Jess Glynne, UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey Virtue and indie stars The Charlatans among the star-studded headliners already announced at Scarborough OAT for 2017.

George’s Scarborough OAT concert is presented by promoters Cuffe and Taylor, whose Director Peter Taylor said: “George Benson is a music icon, a multi-Grammy Award winner and the man behind a stunning catalogue of classic songs.

“His appearance at Scarborough OAT is going to be something truly special for music fans.”

Tickets go on sale at 9am Friday December 16. They are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk (0844 844 0444) and www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com or in person from Scarborough Open Air Theatre Box Office (01723 818111) and the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau (01723 383636).

One of the UK’s hottest stars Jess Glynne will be Right Here at Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2017.

The Triple Brit Award nominee and platinum selling artist heads to the Yorkshire coast on FRIDAY AUGUST 11 for what promises to be a stunning headline performance.

Tickets for Jess’s concert at Scarborough OAT – Europe’s largest outdoor theatre – go on sale at 9am on Wednesday December 14.

Jess said: “It’s going to be great fun playing at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on August 11. I love outdoor shows and so I can’t wait to share a summer’s evening on the beautiful Yorkshire coast with my fans.”

Smashing her way into the nation’s consciousness as the vocalist on Clean Bandit’s 2014 Grammy Award-winning Number 1 hit Rather Be, Jess has since become one of the biggest UK breakthrough acts of recent years.

The North London-born singer is one of only two British female solo artists to have five consecutive UK number one singles.

Her chart-topping debut album, I Cry When I Laugh –  which includes the singles Right Here, Hold My Hand, Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself and Take Me Home –  turned double platinum in the UK, making it the biggest selling debut album of 2015.

2016 has been another massive year for Jess, with a sold-out UK arena tour under her belt plus being nominated for British Breakthrough Act, British Female Solo Artist and British Single for Hold My Hand at this year’s Brit Awards.

Jess Glynne joins, Olly Murs, Cliff Richard, The Beach Boys, UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey Virtue and indie stars The Charlatans among the star-studded headliners already announced at Scarborough OAT for 2017.

The Scarborough OAT concert is presented by promoters Cuffe and Taylor, whose Director Peter Taylor said: “Jess Glynne is one of the biggest stars in the UK right now and we are delighted to be bringing her to Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

“Her live shows are stunning, packed with the songs that have been the soundtrack to the last couple of years so we simply cannot wait for August 11^th.”

Tickets go on sale at 9am Wednesday December 14. They are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk (0844 844 0444) and www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com or in person from Scarborough Open Air Theatre Box Office (01723 818111) and the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau (01723 383636).

Exciting plans were today unveiled for Clip ‘n Climb Blackpool – an adrenaline-fuelled and fun new attraction that will create more than 30 new jobs.

Ice skating stars Daniel Whiston and Karen Barber are looking to reach new heights with business partners Anne and Ben Wade by opening the Fylde coast’s first ever dedicated indoor climbing centre.

Aimed at ages 4 to 104, Clip ‘n Climb Blackpool will provide a host of climbing obstacles that are fun and challenging for all as well as climbing walls all standing at more than 25ft.

The obstacles are themed and include Face 2 Face climbing, Speed Climb, Stairway to Heaven, Twister and Dry Ice. There will also be a Vertical Drop Slide which at 8.5m is the highest of any Clip ‘n’ Climb centre in the UK.

Speed Climb for Clip ‘n Climb Blackpool

A planning application has been submitted to Fylde Borough Council to establish the 2,500 sq ft facility at Whitehills Business Park which, if approved, will see the Fylde-based business partners create 10 full-time and 25 part-time positions.

Speaking about the plans, Dancing on Ice star Daniel said: “We are incredibly excited about Clip ‘n Climb Blackpool. This will be a fantastic new attraction for the whole of the Fylde coast and is something that will appeal to a wide range of people.

 “The obstacles can be as challenging as you want them to be so we hope to see everyone from aged four to 104 enjoying Clip ‘n Climb Blackpool.

 “One of the great things about it is that so many people can get so much out of Clip ‘n Climb. We do expect to be very popular with families and young people but the facilities are also perfect for team-building exercises, confidence building, climbing clubs and exercise.

 “It’s almost climbing walls meeting a theme park.”

Daniel is joined in the venture by fellow TV ice star and Olympian Karen Barber and Fylde-based business partners Anne and Ben Wade. Between them the foursome already operate eight Subway restaurants as well as the recently launched Beach Tavern food-court in Blackpool’s South Shore.

Anne added: “As a business partnership this is something we have been working on for some time now. We all work very well together but we wanted to expand into something different and Clip ‘n Climb is a brand we are really excited about.

 “It’s great to be bringing something completely new and different to the area and something that we feel confident will appeal to such a wide range of people.

“We are also creating 10 full-time and 25 part-time jobs which we are delighted about.”

Clip ‘n Climb was first introduced to the UK 15 years ago after being launched in New Zealand.

The Blackpool attraction will be the first fully independent Clip ‘n Climb in the North West and is the 16^th Clip ‘n Climb to open in the UK.

The planning application also includes plans to build a mezzanine floor in the unit to house a 50plus seater café and viewing area. There will also be a free soft play area for children aged under four.

The full line-up for Lytham Festival 2017 will be revealed next week and it will include an extra night of live music.

Lytham Festival 2017 will see an incredible five nights of headlining music taking place in the Main Proms Arena on Lytham Green from Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 August.

The full line-up will be revealed at www.lythamfestival.com at 7pm on Sunday December 18.

Lytham Festival Director Peter Taylor said: “We are very excited about announcing all the main headline acts for Lytham Festival next week.

“Once again we have an eclectic mix of music stars from across the globe and we are confident 2017 will be a year that has mass appeal to a very wide audience.

“We have been planning next year’s festival for months and have put a real emphasis on ensuring we have pop stars and musicians to suit every age group, so watch this space.”

More Weekend Tickets have been sold than ever before for Lytham Festival 2017 in anticipation of the acts that will be performing. A staggering 3,000 tickets have already been sold – last year just 500 weekend tickets were sold in advance of the acts being announced.

Headliners Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Bryan Adams wowed crowds of almost 30,000 people over two nights in the Main Proms Arena in 2016. While around 40,000 people enjoyed a further three nights of live entertainment on Lytham Green and a week of music, comedy and film at six satellite venues throughout the Lancashire town.

Peter added: “Lytham Festival 2016 saw us bring globally renowned stars to Lancashire and, on the back of that, 3,000 people have already secured weekend tickets for 2017. This is the largest amount of tickets we have ever sold before announcing who is performing.

“The result of that is we only have 1,000 weekend tickets remaining so I would urge anyone who wants to grab a bargain to do so in the next few days as these will not be around for much longer.”

Early bird weekend tickets, giving festival-goers access to Main Proms Arena on Thursday to Sunday, are available at the special price of just £139 until midnight on Sunday. After then they will increase to £175.

Anyone with a weekend ticket who wishes to upgrade to add the Wednesday night concert will receive a discount code enabling them to get the tickets at a reduction of £10.

Full details of the headliners in the Main Proms Arena at Lytham Festival will be revealed online at www.lythamfestival.com at 7pm on Sunday 18 December when tickets will immediately go on sale.

The sound of up and coming Indie pop and Radio One house-band The Tailormade is being used to encourage students to attend university.

The band’s self-penned track The Best Days of Our Lives is the soundtrack to the University of Cumbria’s series of new promotional videos.

And as former students of the university, The Tailormade, made up of Matt Pickersgill, Jack Frimston and Aaron Murphy, are delighted their music and sound is being celebrated in this way.

Matt, Jack and Aaron met and formed the band in 2013 while studying at the University in Carlisle.

Since then they’ve gone on to be crowned Best Buskers in London by former Mayor Boris Johnson, and supported the likes of Rebecca Ferguson, Lemar and CeeLo Green.

Most recently they became Radio One stars when they busked in competition with a disguised James Arthur at London’s Waterloo Station with Breakfast Show host Nick Grimshaw labelling them the station’s house-band.

Speaking about the University of Cumbria’s film, Jack said: “It feels really nostalgic to us all. We genuinely did have the best days of our lives while at Uni in Carlisle so we are incredibly proud that this track has been chosen for their videos.”

Matt added: “We all loved Carlisle and the University so for our music to be used in this way is pretty special.

“It’s a real nod of approval to us and that means a lot because it means what we are doing is making the University proud of us too.”

The videos are currently being used digitally across the university’s website, third party websites, social media channels, emails and events.

Senior Marketing and Digital Engagement Officer at the University of Cumbria, Catherine Drury, said: “The Best Days of Our Lives was a perfect fit for the recent promotional videos that we produced. The song is uplifting, and lyrically perfect as the song was written by the boys about their time at the university.

“We’ve had so many positive comments about the song, and feel the song really makes the videos stand out.”

To find out more about The Tailormade go to: http://www.thetailormade.co.uk/ and to see them busking against James Arthur go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrMbOrW7NbY

There will be plenty of festive jumpers on show both on and off the track as Carlisle Racecourse celebrates its final fun-packed race day of 2016.

The Cumbrian course’s annual Christmas Jumper event – held this Sunday December 11^th from 10am – boasts a top-quality day of National Hunt racing and Yuletide fun for all the family.

Santa and his elves are now busy setting up their grotto ready for race day with all children not only enjoying free admission to the course but also a meeting with the man in red himself and a free Christmas gift.

On the track, it promises to be another fantastic day of racing with Jonjo O’Neill and Donald McCain entering more than 20 runners between them.

Fellow leading trainers Michael Scudamore, David Pipe, Nicky Richards and Sue Smith all have numerous runners entered in the seven-race meeting.

Geraldine McKay, Carlisle Racecourse’s General Manager, said: “This is going to be a wonderful way to round off another memorable year here at Carlisle.

“We have seen some fantastic racing over the course of 2016 and we want to celebrate with a real festive party atmosphere on Sunday.

“Together with another great day’s racing Santa will be here to give all our young racegoers a special Christmas gift. We are asking all racegoers to dig out their Christmas jumpers to support the ‘jumpers’ on the track.

“We want to thank everyone for their support of Carlisle Racecourse in 2016 and here is to a wonderful 2017.”

Among the entries to watch on Sunday will be the David Pipe-trained Herbert Park who has been in fine form posting a first and second in his last two races.

Nicky Richards has two horses in a rich vein of form with eight-year-old St Gregory on a roll having won the last three times out at Hexham, Ayr and Newcastle while Another Bill goes into Sunday having won his last two outings.

Sue Smith’s Palm Grey was a 10/1 winner over 2m 4f at Carlisle back on November 7 and is entered in Sunday’s 2m 1f Carlisle Annual Members Chase.

Tickets for Christmas Jumper Day are £14.00 (in advance) or £17.00 (on the day). Under-17s get in free when accompanied by an adult. Gates open 10am, first race is 12pm.

The Charlatans are set to rock the Yorkshire coast next summer on what promises to be an unforgettable night at Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

For more than 25 years, the globally loved band have been an inspirational force in British music chalking up 22 Top 40 singles and three number one albums.

The Charlatans’ headline show at Scarborough OAT – Europe’s largest open air theatre – is on Friday June 16, 2017. Tickets for the concert go on sale at 9am on Friday December 9.

Lead singer Tim Burgess said: “We have played some truly memorable gigs in Yorkshire down the years and we expect another unforgettable night in Scarborough next summer.

“Yorkshire crowds have always been among our warmest and loudest supporters and we cannot wait to play for them again.”

The Charlatans – Tim Burgess, Mark Collins, Martin Blunt and Tony Rogers – remain one of the most explosive live acts around, a finely honed musical powerhouse the world adores.

Their back catalogue is quite simply a non-stop jukebox of indie rock’s greatest hits including the unmistakable sound and swagger of The Only One I Know, Weirdo, Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over, One to Another, How High, North Country Boy and 2015’s stunning Come Home Baby.

The band’s 12th studio album Modern Nature received sensational reviews, some critics citing it as their best-ever. They have toured the album around the globe to sold out audiences since its release in 2015.

The Scarborough OAT concert is presented by promoters Cuffe and Taylor. Promoter Joel Levack said: “The Charlatans are one of the biggest bands to have come from the UK in the last 25 years. They have written the soundtrack to so many indie fans’ lives and we cannot wait for them to take to the stage at Scarborough.

“This is another fantastic night of live music heading to the Yorkshire coast in 2017.”

Tickets for The Charlatans at Scarborough OAT go on sale at 9am Friday December 9. They are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com and in person or by calling Scarborough Open Air Theatre Box Office (0844 844 0444 ) or Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau (01723 383636).

British reggae legends UB40 – featuring original members Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue – are heading to Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2017.

The band will be bringing their inimitable blend of reggae and pop greatest hits to the Yorkshire coast as part of their Grandslam UK Tour.

Their Scarborough Open Air Theatre headline show will be on Friday June 30.

Tickets for the concert go on sale at 9am on Friday December 2.

Lead singer Ali Campbell said: “We cannot wait to perform for all our fans and to pull out all the favourites that they love the most. The Grandslam Tour is going to be a brilliant experience for both us and the fans.”

UB40 have released hit after hit since they formed in 1978, achieving three UK Number Ones – Red, Red Wine, I Got You Babe (ft. Chrissie Hynde) and I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You – not to mention 17 Top 10 singles.

Since reuniting three years ago, Campbell, Astro and Virtue – backed on stage by a fantastic eight-piece reggae band – have developed into a formidable touring outfit.

2016 has seen them return to the USA and Australia. They also made an emotional return to the UK in April 2016, when they performed songs from the first two Labour Of Love albums on an arena tour that included sell-out shows in London, Brighton and their native Birmingham.

This month they released their brand new Unplugged album, which offers an inventive new spin on UB40’s early gems plus the huge hits with which they later wooed the world.

UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey join Cliff Richard, The Beach Boys and Olly Murs among the star-studded headliners already announced at Scarborough OAT for 2017.

UB40’s Scarborough OAT concert is presented by promoters Cuffe and Taylor whose Director Peter Taylor said: “UB40 have some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in the world and we are delighted to be able to bring Ali, Astro and Mickey to Scarborough OAT next summer.

“They are British reggae legends and a truly great live band that have such a broad appeal. They boast a sensational back catalogue of hits that is going to make this a real night to remember on the Yorkshire coast.”

Tickets go on sale at 9am Friday December 2 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com  or in person from the Scarborough Open Air Theatre Box Office.