Alexandra Burke

Rebecca Ferguson, Alexandra Burke and more set for Bt London Live!

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 R’n’B star Alexandra Burke will be performing at Hyde Park and Victoria Park on Thursday 2 August as part of London’s biggest FREE celebration of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Also added to the bill is soul sensation Rebecca Ferguson, who will be performing at Hyde Park on Tuesday 31 July, Scottish songstress Amy Macdonald, who will be at Hyde Park on Friday 3 August, and Canadian singer Alyssa Reid, who will be performing at Hyde Park and Victoria Park on Sunday 5 August.

Alexandra BurkeSince winning The X Factor in 2008 Alexandra Burke has become a multi-record selling pop R’n’B artist. The British star had her first hit, reaching Christmas no.1 back in 2008, with ‘Hallelujah’ and has gone onto become one of the leading female artists in the UK. Following the release of her platinum selling track ‘Bad Boys’ (2009) and recent hit single ‘Elephant’ (Feb 2012), Alexandra’s eagerly awaited second album Heartbreak on Hold was released this month.

Another former X Factor star to join the bill, Rebecca Ferguson won the hearts and votes of millions of viewers as runner-up in the seventh series of the show in 2010. Famed for her soulful and amazingly powerful voice, the songstress from Liverpool has gone on produce top 10 hit single ‘Nothings Real But Love’ and has co-written her debut album Heaven (released in December 2011). The album received high praise and glowing reviews from critics and fans alike, charting at No.3 in the UK and has just recently made onto the Billboard 100 in the US.

Amy Macdonald shot to fame in 2007 with the release of her debut album This is The Life, an album that sold over three million copies, with the single track charting No.1 in over six different countries. Now one of Europe’s biggest selling singer-songwriters, Amy has played to over half million fans and has had phenomenal success across the globe. Amy’s third album Life in a Beautiful Light was released on 11 June.

Canadian singer / songwriter Alyssa Reid shot to fame after a YouTube video of her singing a Justin Bieber track went viral, and was soondiscovered by her record label. In February 2012, Alyssa’s debut hit single ‘Alone Again’ (featuring P. Reign), sampling Heart’s ‘Alone’, reached No.2 in the UK Official Chart.

BT London Live Hyde Park and Victoria Park has something for everyone, from live music to watching the 100 metres final on a 160m2 screen, the 55m high BTObservation Wheel in Victoria Park giving views of the Olympic Park, have-a-go sports, plus al-fresco Sports Bars and much more.  A great line up of artists has already been announced, they include: Tom Jones, McFly, The Feeling, Feeder, Dodgy, The Levellers, Cast, Amy Macdonald, Paul Carrack Kenny Thomas and the cast of ‘We Will Rock You’. For updates and details of days they are performing go to: www.btlondonlive.com

BT London Live is also hosting two Celebration Concerts in Hyde Park to coincide with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Snow Patrol,Stereophonics, Duran Duran and Paolo Nutini will perform at the Opening Ceremony Celebration Concert on Friday 27

July, whilst Blur will headline the Closing Ceremony Celebration Concert on Sunday 12 August, withspecial guests Bombay Bicycle Club, New Order and The Specials. No one willmiss the excitement as all the action from the Olympic Park will be beamed into BT London Live. For tickets and more information go to www.btlondonlive.com.

Henley Festival lineup and ticket details

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tom jonesLegendary Welsh singer Tom Jones opens this year’s unmissable Henley Festival (6 -10 July).  Tickets ranging from £35 – £110 go on sale today [1 March]:  www.henley-festival.co.uk

The festival is the UK’s best summer party – a five night, star studded, black tie event on the banks of the river Thames in the beautiful town of Henley-on-Thames.  Tom Jones and the other headline acts, including Jools Holland, Alexandra Burke, Rumer, Blake, and ABBA Symphonic, will entertain fans from floating stage on the river, against the backdrop of the Henley skyline. 

The riverside setting provides an intimate environment for festival goers to experience magical summer nights.  Each evening, over twenty acts from the world of jazz, opera, classical and theatre, from the UK and abroad, perform live music and comedy.  The Roving Company of Eccentrica entertain you as you wander through art galleries and sculpture lawns. 

Later on, watch a dazzling firework display, then follow the revellers to Chinawhite Club
and party late into the night.

For elegant dining, book a table at Albert and Michel Roux’s Riverside Restaurant, the largest a la carte restaurant in Europe, along with other inviting riverside restaurants and bars. 

“This is a festival both for the connoisseur and the party goer. International performers combine with a jewel box of spectacular acts throughout the five days in a magical location on the banks of the Thames.”says Stewart Collins, Artistic Director  

“There’s nothing like the Henley Festival. The beautiful setting and the intimate performances make it the best summer party you can imagine,” says Tom Jones. 

Tickets and Dining:

  • Choose from reserved Grandstand seats or unreserved Lawn deckchairs for the main Floating Stage concert from £59 each.
  • Promenade tickets (from £35 each) provide standing room for the main concert.
  • All Henley Festival goers enjoy live performances in the Cafe du Soir and the Salon plus a free pass to seven art galleries, sculpture lawns, eccentric roving street acts such as the Art Tart, a spectacular fireworks display, plus dancing in China White nightclub.
  • Dine in style at Albert and Michel Roux’s Riverside Restaurant or the less formal Terrace Restaurant and Café du Soir. Or choose casual outdoor eateries like Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head at Henley, the Chinese Garden and other venues for light bites.
The Programme:
Gates open at 6pm, when you’ll rub shoulders with well known faces, fellow culture seekers and artists, while sipping champagne in elegant, stylish, black tie and evening dress. View sculpture, including the iconic Alice in Wonderland by Salvador Dali, live ice sculpting and works by artists ranging from Peter Blake to John Piper, and dance into the wee hours at Chinawhite nightclub. 

Henley Festival Box Office:  01491 843404 or book via www.henley-festival.co.uk