Symphonic Ibiza organiser says 'we are committed to keeping live music at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate'
Review: Symphonic Ibiza, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate
Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground welcomed a host of talented, big name DJs and musicians to Symphonic Ibiza for a sunny evening to remember.
Taking place on Saturday, August 15, festival-goers celebrated a full summer day of House music by dancing and singing in their masses - seven thousand strong to be exact.
The event brought together and delivered a seamless selection of world-class vocalists, a full live 40 piece orchestra on a large-scale production.
Speaking to this reviewer ahead of the event Vernon Kay said “I love playing these 90s tunes to a massive crowd.
"I love seeing that reaction when the first few seconds of a record drop and everyone immediately knows what’s coming.
"These are records that instantly take you back to a time and a place, and when you get a few thousand people together all knowing every word; there’s nothing better.”
The day delivered an afternoon and evening of the most loved Ibiza anthems of the past 30 years and featured sensational performances from M People’s Heather Small, Rebecca Ferguson MBE, House legend Alison Limerick.
DJ Alex Bowen took first to the stage a delivered fantastic warm up for the main DJ event - BBC Radio 2 Dance Sounds of the 90s with Vernon Kay, who was slater joined in his set by vocalist Kym Sims.
The grand finale featured the Ibiza Symposium - a 40 piece orchestra who brought the energy of dance music to the stage.
The orchestra were joined by their two amazing vocalist Ruby Jayne and Beth Gore.
Singer Alison Limerick talked to this reviewer, saying: "I love working alongside an orchestra; there is always something special about being embraced by live strings and brass.
"Don’t get me wrong, I love, love doing a PA in a club, big or small.
"But there is an immediacy when you are singing into the faces of a dance-floor filled with clubbers, all getting their groove on.”
An amazing first of its kind musical event in Harrogate, the event was a complete success from start to finish.
As well as local music fans in the crowd, there were also many who had travelled from Leeds or further afield from Manchester and Barnsley.
Symphonic Ibiza was as much a star-studded event off stage as on.
Among the celebrities I chatted to, or spotted, were Sam Ashby (Smashby) of Big Brother, Lucy Pargeter (Chas Dingle) of Emmerdale, Christine Talbot ITV News broadcaster and X Factor’s Joe McElderry.
Speaking to this reviewer shortly after the event, organiser Freddy White said: “We’ve already assessing multiple options for next year and were very committed to keeping live music at the Great Yorkshire Showground.
"Naturally, any future plans have to work for the venue, the relevant authorities and importantly, our local community.
"If we can get a balance right, then Saturday in Harrogate showed just how much potential there is here and we look forward to the opportunity to build on what we’ve started.”