Thousands Attend First Symphonic Ibiza Concert At Great Yorkshire Showground

Vernon Kay at Symphonic Ibiza at the Great Yorkshire Showground Photo: Sam Ashton

Thousands of people attended the Great Yorkshire Showground on Saturday night for the first staging of Symphonic Ibiza, an outdoor concert combining DJ sets, live vocalists and a full orchestra in the venue's Main Ring.

It was the first outdoor music concert held at the Showground since Sir Elton John performed there in 2012.

The evening opened with a DJ set from Love Island's Alex Bowen, followed by broadcaster Vernon Kay, known for his BBC Radio 2 90s dance show. Singers Heather Small, Rebecca Ferguson MBE and Alison Limerick performed with the 40-piece Symphonic Ibiza Orchestra, one of the country's dance music ensembles that pairs club tracks with live orchestration.

Earlier in the day, guests attended a reception at the Pavilions of Harrogate, which is marking its 30th anniversary this year, before moving to the Main Ring for the evening's performances.

Symphonic Ibiza at the Great Yorkshire Showground

The concert was organised by Harrogate-based promoter Sound & White in partnership with the Great Yorkshire Events Centre, the Showground's commercial events venue. Profits from events staged at the Showground go to the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the charity behind the Great Yorkshire Show, which supports farming, food and the countryside across the year.

A portion of ticket sales is being donated to two local causes: the David Brown Foundation, a Harrogate-based youth and education charity, and Harrogate Theatre Trust, which supports arts and creative activity in the town.

The event was sponsored by a number of Yorkshire businesses, including Masons of Yorkshire gin and vodka, Tap & Tuk Tuk on Cheltenham Parade and Rhubarb Restaurant, while Champagne house Pol Roger hosted a VIP hospitality area within the grounds.

The Great Yorkshire Events Centre Commercial Director Graham Thompson with Symphonic Ibiza Organiser Freddy White and Head of Sales Ben Chatburn.

Freddy White, founder of Sound & White and lead promoter of Symphonic Ibiza, said the response from the crowd and subsequent feedback had exceeded expectations, and credited the Showground's staff, crew and performers for the evening running smoothly.

Graham Thompson, commercial director at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre, said the concert marked a new addition to the venue's programme and welcomed the opportunity to bring a large-scale event to the Main Ring.