Corr what a start to the Newmarket Nights season

If you’re no longer familiar with name The Corrs then you soon will be if their performance in Newmarket last night is anything to go by.

The Irish pop rock group kickstarted the Newmarket Nights summer season in superb style, cleverly weaving their earlier hits with songs from their new album.

The sibling quartet, Andrea, Sharon, Caroline and Jim, were one of the best-selling bands of the ‘90s and, after a decade-long hiatus, are making a welcome comeback.

Sharon’s violin playing was a spectacle in itself whilst Andrea’s energy was infectious as she danced to the music, skipping and spinning in circles, in between delivering flawless vocals and playing the tin whistle - the band’s excitement at returning to the stage was obvious to see.

The crowd’s enjoyment of What Can I Do and Runaway was clear but new songs like Ellis Island, taken from the band’s sixth album, White Light, were also well received.

I was particularly impressed by the group’s apparent clairvoyance as their performance of Dreams, with lyrics which include ‘thunder only happens when it’s raining’, was perfectly timed to coincide with the only drops of rain we experienced all night, and made for a special moment.

Caroline joined her sisters at the front of the stage as Andrea warned ‘we’re gonna get a little Irish on you now’ and ‘get Irish’ they did, much to the Newmarket Racecourse audience’s delight, with many demonstrating their own playful versions of traditional Irish dance moves.

Breathless (one of my personal favourites) was the band’s penultimate song and, though I was surprised there was no encore, the show ended with a fitting return to The Corrs’ Irish sound.

Jess Glynne and Little Mix are among the Newmarket Nights gigs to have already sold out but tickets are currently available for Will Young’s upcoming show on June 24.

Next month will see performances from the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs, Busted and Tears for Fears whilst August will see Mark Ronson take to the Newmarket stage.

For more details, or to book tickets, visit www.thejockeyclublive.co.uk