Following the runaway success of the inaugural ‘Nocturne’ concert series, which saw in excess of 20000 music fans descend on Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire for concerts by Ludovico Einaudi, Gregory Porter and Van Morrison, the organisers have confirmed that the series will return in 2016, taking place across four days from Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th June.
The first headliner to be announced for next year’s event is one of the most popular musicians of all time, the legendary, multi-award-winning, pianist, singer and songwriter Elton John and his band. A true visionary, who over the course of an illustrious five-decade career has sold over 300 million albums, John will be making his Blenheim Palace debut and will perform a hit-laden set with his band drawing on classic songs from his extensive back catalogue as well as music from recently announced 33rd studio albumWonderful Crazy Night.
Elton John:
“The simple truth is I want to spend more time with my family, and I am only too aware of just how precious the time ahead is. My sons are growing up so quickly; their early years are just flying by and I want to be there with them. So these concerts will give me the chance to thank the British audiences who have been so faithful to me over these many decades. We cannot get to everyone but I am going to try. I remember my first show in Oxford – towards the end of our 1972 tour of the UK with the great Linda Lewis on support – and am so glad to be playing my first show there in 10 years.“
When Nocturne launched earlier this year, live music made a long-overdue return to the magnificent setting of the Great Court at Blenheim Palace. Set within 2100 acres of spectacular parkland in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside, the 300-year-old World Heritage site is transformed into the ultimate open-air concert venue, providing music fans with a truly unique live music experience.
Elton John and his band perform at Nocturne on Sunday June 26th 2016.
More acts will be confirmed soon for the remaining dates of the Nocturne concert series.
Tickets start at £50 and go on general sale on Friday November 27th at 9am. VIP packages are available, including fine dining in Sir Winston Churchill’s Long Library. Seewww.nocturnelive.comfor details.
Highlights from Nocturne 2015 are available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvfUOvWg5Rg