Multi-million-selling British singer songwriter David Gray and soulful pop band Lighthouse Family are to play an open air show at Blenheim Palace next summer.
The artists are the second addition to the palace’s Nocturne Live concert series, which returns to the Woodstock stately home in June.
Gray will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his seminal album White Ladder by assembling all the original band members and recreating the record in its entirety.
One of the top 10 best-selling UK albums of the century, White Ladder spawned a string of hits including Babylon, This Year’s Love, Please Forgive Me and Sail Away and spent almost three consecutive years in the UK top 100.
The show, on Thursday June 18, the opening night of the series, will feature support slots from Lighthouse Family and Nerina Pallot. One of the most popular bands of the 90s, chart-topping duo Lighthouse Family sold over 12 million albums, with hits including Ocean Drive, Lifted and High.
Jersey-born singer songwriter Nerina Pallot has released five albums over the course of her near 20-year career and enjoyed international success with an array of singles including Everyone’s Gone To War and Sophia. Previous shows include an acclaimed performance at west Oxfordshire’s Cornbury Festival.
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David Gray said he was delighted to be heading to Blenheim for the anniversary of his signature album.
He said: “It’s the 20th anniversary of White Ladder, a unique record with its own remarkable history.
“Jammed full with big, open-hearted songs and flooded with a raw emotional energy. It’s an album that came from nowhere to steal the hearts of millions all over the world, completely transforming my life in the process.
“Twenty years on and it feels like White Ladder is just as alive for people now as it was back then – so to celebrate this milestone, I will be releasing a special anniversary version of the album and assembling all the original band members with all the original equipment, in order to take White Ladder out on the road and recreate the record in its entirety.”
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Gray, Lighthouse Family and Nerina Pallot join the previously announced Lionel Richie for Nocturne Live 2020, which will transform Blenheim Palace’s 9,500-capacity Great Court into a spectacular open-air concert venue. Richie, who is famous for such hits as All Night Long, Endless Love, Lady, Stuck on You, Say You, Say Me, Dancing On The Ceiling and Hello, plays on June 20.
Further artists are to be announced in the coming months.
Previous acts to have performed include Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Gary Barlow, Nile Rodgers, Noel Gallagher and Gladys Knight.
Tickets start at £35 and go on sale this Friday, from nocturnelive.com.
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