BOSSES at Haydock Park knew exactly what they were doing when they booked Nile Rodgers and Chic for this summer.
The iconic band and timeless talented singer-songwriter last graced the stage at the racecourse back in 2019.
It was a magical evening concert following a day of racing on Friday, and booking them to return this summer is as close to a guarantee of success as you can get.
Photos as Nile Rodgers and Chic perform at Haydock Park Racecourse. Picture: Dave Overton/Paul Dixon/The Jockey Club Live
Even the weather – which has been unpredictable over recent years, with downpours while Jess Glyne and Paloma Faith performed springing to mind – lived up to the summer season.
A packed-out Haydock Park crowd made its way down to the stage area even before the last race had been run, such was the anticipation of the impending concert.
Photos as Nile Rodgers and Chic perform at Haydock Park Racecourse. Picture: Dave Overton/Paul Dixon/The Jockey Club Live
As the man himself walked out to greet racegoers with a massive smile on his face, it was clear to see just how much he enjoys performing.
The cheering and applauding crowd was treated to renditions of classic Chic hits such as Good Times, Le Freak, Everybody Dance and I Want Your Love.
Photos as Nile Rodgers and Chic perform at Haydock Park Racecourse. Picture: Dave Overton/Paul Dixon/The Jockey Club Live
As Rodgers admitted to the audience, many will not know just how many massive hits he has written for some of the biggest and renown artists of past decades.
He performed some of these during the evening, including Notorious of Duran Duran, Let’s Dance of David Bowie and He’s The Greatest Dancer of Sister Sledge.
Photos as Nile Rodgers and Chic perform at Haydock Park Racecourse. Picture: Dave Overton/Paul Dixon/The Jockey Club Live
The latter’s We Are Family and Lost in Music, Daft Punk’s Up All Night to Get Lucky and Lose Yourself to Dance, Madonna’s Like a Virgin and Material Girl – the list goes on and on and on.
If the queues to get out of the racecourse at the concert’s conclusion were anything to go by, it was clear how many stayed until the very end to give Rodgers and Chic a rapturous send-off.
Photos as Nile Rodgers and Chic perform at Haydock Park Racecourse
Following Craig David earlier this summer, this brings an end to this year’s live music racedays at Haydock Park, although many more meetings are planned going forward.
It is great to see thousands of people pack out the venue on days like this, and long may Haydock welcoming some of the biggest names in music continue.
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