When the going gets tough (which it has), the tough get going – down to Tredegar Park in Newport (which we can). In a world where we have been losing so many of our much loved events, shows cancelled, gigs rescheduled and cinemas firmly shut, it’s nice to bring you something to look forward to. PARTY AT THE PARK in Newport is one of those events which makes you smile just by looking through the line-up. And let’s be honest, after the last year we’ll be more than ready to party.
The Party returns to Tredegar Park in Newport and playing the main Encore stage are our favourite guilty pleasure BOYZLIFE, who became something of a hugely popular hit prior to lockdown.
Boyzlife are Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden, who were members of boybands Boyzone and Westlife – hence BOYZLIFE.
With Boyzone, Keith enjoyed six UK number one singles and 16 out of 17 of their first single releases making the top 5. With five number one albums also to their credit, Boyzone had incredible worldwide sales of over 25 million.
Brian enjoyed similar success, including 12 UK and Ireland number ones as a member of Westlife, and a record breaking seven top spots in a row. The band also boast four number 1 albums and over 30 million record sales in total. Since Westlife, Brian has enjoyed international solo success, including a UK number 1 with ‘Real to Me’.
Boyzlife has already performed for over 20,000 fans since the pair came together in 2016. Playing a whole host of their biggest chart hits, Boyzlife brings together the worlds of Boyzone and Westlife in a show not to be missed. They released a single to funds for Age UK. And their debut album, Strings Attached- With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, is out now.
Having seen Keith and Brian at events both together, and in other outfits, we can tell you they really will bring the party to the park.
Also on the Main Stage are BIG MAC’S WHOLLY SOUL BAND and you do not want to miss them.
They’ve been around a few year now, 30 to be exact, and although they are a Bristol outfit they are no strangers to an enthusiastic crowd over the Severn Bridge. They’ve played pretty much every venue in South Wales over the years; the Wales Millennium Centre, Newbridge Memo, Tramshed in Cardiff and now we get them at Tredegar Park.
A 12 piece Classic Soul Band who have been together since 1990 and have not only played around the UK, but around the globe. Their reaching appeal is subject to the band’s adaptability and versatility. Over the years the band has been built a rock solid reputation, and we know a lot of their fans will be out on the day to see them, with many more new ones converted after their set.
And the day doesn’t stop there. They have a couple of TV Talent Show favourites taking to the stage.
The Bridgend-born singer CHICO, renowned for his full-on, energetic performances, remember he was the one who jumped into Sharon Osbourne’s swimming back in those X Factor days.
CHICO reached the quarter-finals of the 2005 series of the X-Factor. The following year he had a number one hit with “It’s Chico Time”. A song we’re pretty certain you’ll be singing along to in the sunshine.
He’s had a tough old time, not only did he survive X Factor but a couple of years ago he suffered a life-threatening stroke less than two years ago. It turned out that a large blood clot on his brain had caused the stroke.
Fitness and music is his thing now, just make sure you’re in front of the stage with plenty of ‘Chico Time’ to spare, to catch him live.
We love gigs like this as some of our favourite bands, turn up on stage, belt out a handful of their biggest hits, we all sing-a-long and the party atmosphere builds. There are four bands who will do just that, with some of the most iconic party hits of the last 20 plus years.
There Ain’t No Party like an S CLUB PARTY, and after having huge success around the world in the late 90’s/early ’00s as S Club 7, Jo, Bradley and Tina from the original line up now tour as S Club Party. Playing their greatest hits such as ‘Reach’ and ‘Don’t Stop Movin’, we can pretty much guarantee the Tredegar Park roof will be well and truly raised – if they had one that is.
Selling a remarkable 20 million records, the boy band 5IVE had four top ten albums, all widely loved by their adoring legion of fans. They had a series of sold-out tours at some of the UK’s biggest venues while picking up a Brit Award in 1999 as British Breakthrough Act, before remarkably taking the gong for Best Pop Act in 2000.
After their 2001 split and brief reformation in 2006, 2012 brought their highly anticipated reunion. They played a comeback tour at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2013 after featuring in the ITV2 documentary, The Big Reunion. Since then 5ive (as a 3 piece) have toured through the UK and Europe, taking their stage show to clubs, concert halls, arenas and festivals throughout the country.
And you just know the guys will be playing all their big hits – ‘When the Lights Go Out’, ‘Everybody Get Up, ‘Inspector Gadget,’ ‘Keep on Movin’. ‘Rock the Party,’ ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Don’t Wanna Let You Go’.
Much loved UK Pop band EAST 17 is currently made up of original member Terry Coldwell with Artful Dodgers vocalist Robbie Craig and Joe Livermore. Back in the day they achieved 18 Top 20 singles and had four of their albums make the Top 10. One of the most popular bands of their generation, they were often in the tabloids and had a naughtier image than that of peers like Take That. Mixing up hip hop, r&b and pop into their own style, the group had huge hits such as ‘House of Love’ and ‘Let It Rain.’
The band has sold nearly two million records and the same number of singles in the UK alone and worldwide have sold more than 18 million records. One of those is the Christmas classic ‘Stay Another Day’, so expect some August festive cheer when the guys take to the stage.
Best known for international hit single Turn Around, PHATS AND SMALL are a British dance music duo made up of Jason “Phats” Hayward and Russel Small.
Unbelievably, they stormed the music scene in 1998 (seems like only yesterday) with their debut single Turn Around reaching number three in the UK Singles Chart before climbing to number two. Only a year later had they released their first album, Now Phats What I Small Music.
There are also some really good tribute acts throughout the day, who are really much more than that.
The UB40 EXPERIENCE are an 8 man tribute to the kings of reggae UB40. Unlike most other UB40 tributes the Experience pay tribute to all 8 UB40 members including a 3 man horn section. The band aim to give the audience the true feeling of having attended a UB40 concert.
The MARLEY EXPERIENCE lay claim to being the World’s greatest Sound, look & Vibe alike Tribute to Bob Marley & the Wailers. And with a catalogue of music to bring sunshine to any party, we just know the band will bring the park alive with the sound of the late, great Bob Marley.
It’s obviously difficult to mention all the acts performing at the party, but I do want to mention ASWAD. I’m sure the guys won’t mind me saying they are a long-lasting (they have been making great music for a long time now), British reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B and soul influences to the reggae sound. They have been performing since the mid-1970s, having released a total of 21 albums.
I had the pleasure of introducing Aswad on stage as support to Madness a few years back. They are really, really great live, so make sure you catch their set.
And it’s not only a day filled with music, there’ll be a splash of comedy too. Although PAUL CHUCKLE, along with his brother Barry released their first album in 1995 and went on to pair up with British Grime star Tinchy Stryder to release the track “To you, To me (Bruv)” a charity single.
The Party At The Park team have been busily organising a new date to make us all feel a bit more comfortable around the current situation.
This will be the same party, at the same Tredegar Park in Newport, it’s just on a new date. Your 2020 tickets will be transferred over to the new date and there’s still time to get yours for this year’s event on Saturday 7th August. If you’d like more information on the event just head to their site here. PARTY