Preview:
Culture Club

With great art often comes great conflict and one of the saddest things for fans of bands from Fleetwood Mac to the Rolling Stones and Simon and Garfunkle is the tendency of the latter to stifle, rather than fuel, the former.

Fortunately for fans of Culture Club, Boy George and co seem to have moderated their egos enough with age to put their differences aside and hold it together for the past three years and counting. Their UK exclusive performance at Haydock Park next weekend promises racegoers a performance from a band back at the top of their game.

Culture Club were one of the biggest pop bands of the 1980s, racking up seven straight top 10 hits in the UK and nine in the US. Led by flamboyant frontman Boy George, the band won multiple awards, including Best British Single for worldwide smash hit Karma Chameleon. Selling over 50 million records worldwide, their hits also include Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, Time (Clock of the Heart) and Church of the Poison Mind. In addition to Haydock Park on 22 July, Culture Club play Epsom Downs Racecourse on 20 July, and Newmarket Racecourse on 21 July.

Culture Club may be a safe bet these days but fans who like a gamble can do so with a six-race card kicking off earlier in the day, prior to the open-air concert. It’s an alternative to the traditional festival where you’ll see fascinators and high heels only infrequently and ironically. The event is hosted by Jockey Club Live, and is one of several shows in a summer where racing and live music collide. The Culture Club event is sandwiched between shows from The Jacksons and Olly Murs at Haydock Park Racecourse.

There’s a range of hospitality packages available for different budgets but those who want a day of true Boy George-inspired glamour can book a private box or a spot at the champagne bar.

Tickets are on sale at thejockeyclublive.co.uk, starting from £30 adult/£15 child (under 18). In addition to Haydock Park, Jockey Club Live will be hosting live concerts at Sandown Park, Newmarket, Wincanton, Aintree, Market Rasen, Epsom Downs and Carlisle racecourses this summer