Top tenor Russell Watson will launch the 2021 Hale Barns Carnival in style next month when he headlines an unmissable evening of Proms favourites.
The Salford-born superstar singer will take centre stage on Friday 16 July at the start of the weekend festival which returns bigger and better than ever after being postponed last year.
And the man dubbed ‘The Voice’ and ‘The People’s Tenor’ says he can’t wait to return to live performing and entertain Hale Barns audiences – while raising vital funds for charity at the same time.
This year’s carnival takes place across the weekend of Friday 16 July, Saturday 17 July and Sunday 18 July 2021 – with demand for tickets meaning the live music has been extended to three evenings for the first time.
Alongside Russell Watson, other headline live acts across the three days include disco legends Boney M – featuring Maizie Williams, 80s favourites Katrina and the Waves and 5 Star featuring Denise Pearson.
And as another new addition for 2021 a preview party concert at the Garrick Playhouse in Altrincham on Saturday 3 July will star Odyssey along with special guest, Mama Used to Say singer Junior Giscombe.
The very special Proms with Russell Watson officially opens Hale Barns Carnival 2021 on the evening of Friday 16 July.
The 54-year-old former bolt cutter, who started singing in working men’s clubs in his spare time, is the UK’s best-selling classical artist.
This year marks the 21st anniversary of his debut solo album The Voice reaching the number one chart spot – a position it held for a world record 52 weeks, catapulting the singer into the international spotlight.
He will be joined at Hale Barns by his band to perform a specially curated set full of Proms classics, including stirring anthems like Jerusalem and Rule Britannia, and Puccini’s aria Nessun Dorma.
The Friday night concert will support The Seashell Trust, with all profits from the evening being donated to the Cheshire charity which helps young people with complex needs and communication challenges.
Russell Watson said: “When I get on stage at Hale Barns it will be my first live concert for 18 months. It’s going to be an emotional experience, both for me and for the musicians performing with me.
“I used to live not far away, in Plane Tree Road in Hale, so it’s a really nice place to start performing again.
“And The Seashell Trust is a fantastic local charity which does important work with young people in the area. Charities have been hit hard in the last year, so I’m also really pleased that money raised on the evening will be going towards it being able to continue providing those vital services.
“Last year was meant to be my 20th anniversary tour, but everything was postponed because of the pandemic. After Hale Barns Carnival I’ll be performing a small number of other outdoor Proms concerts, and then my rescheduled tour will start in the autumn – now marking my 21st anniversary!
“When lockdown started last spring, I gave my voice a complete rest for five or six months, and as a result it’s soaring and feeling really fluid.
“Now I can’t wait to get back on stage and entertain people again. I’ll be performing Proms favourites along with a selection of the repertoire that I’ve recorded over the last 20 years.”
Tickets for the concert are on sale now.
PROMS WITH RUSSELL WATSON
Friday, 16 July 2021
At St Ambrose Fields, Hale Road, Hale Barns, WA15 0HE
FREE daytime activity on Saturday and Sunday (17 July and 18 July) from 12 noon until 5pm
Evening concerts (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) – gates open 5pm /show starts 6pm
TICKET PRICES
Solo concert tickets: £28 for adults/£15 for under 16s. Under 4s free
Weekend Pass to cover all three concerts: £75 for adults/£35 for under 16s. Under 4s free
VIP pods for up to 10 people: £200 per concert
HOW TO BOOK
Online: www.halebarnscarnival.co.uk
