Experience the magic of The Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics event on Millennium Square next month

To celebrate the return of The Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics event to Millennium Square on Friday 27 July this year, organisers have released a new video charting the story of the legendary Leeds club night including behind-the-scenes footage filmed at last year’s show and interviews with special guests Basement Jaxx, Adamski and MC MAD from Groove Armada.

The making of video was a collaborative effort between Sonder Studios and Pop Cult Chic alongside Back to Basics head honcho Dave Beer. The shoot involved capturing the pre-show rehearsals, interviews with the artists and the build-up of excitement before the main event. Sonder Studios then went on to create a heartfelt reflection of a memorable moment in time.

Dave Beer, founder of Back to Basics, comments:

"After being totally blown away by last year’s show, which still seems like a surreal dream and probably the highlight of my life so far, we really wanted to capture and be able to share all the love and emotion with those that unfortunately could not be there and this video really does the event and the occasion justice. It really chokes me up every time I watch it back and I am so honoured to be working once again alongside Leeds City Council and the brilliant Orchestra of Opera North on a new show for 2018 which is going to be epic.”

To view the video, please see: https://youtu.be/FSznzu3YsyE

This year’s collaboration between Dave Beer’s trailblazing Leeds club and Yorkshire’s resident symphony orchestra, The Orchestra of Opera North, is set to turn the clocks back to the heady days of the early 90s featuring headline performances from dance music legends Robin S, Utah Saints and Alison Limerick.

US megastar Robin S will be performing her worldwide chart-topping smash and dance music classic Show Me Love with a full symphonic makeover - the first time it has been performed live in the UK with its original singer centre stage as part of a modern club / classical cross over event.

Homegrown DJ and sampling pioneers Utah Saints will also be performing their well-known hits What Can You Do For Me and Something Good in completely new way as part of a special summer reunion with the Back to Basics team.

House diva Alison Limerick’ will be performing her highly influential and much loved club anthem Where Love Live. Also joining the bill are rave favourites, Shades of Rhythm; lead singer/songwriter for N-Joi and multimillion selling band Republica, Saffron; Chicago house royalty Robert Owens; British gospel and house singer, Rachel McFarlane; and jazz and broken beat vocalist Sara Garvey, best known for her work with Nightmares on Wax. The evening will once again be presented by Dave Beer, with live warm-up DJ sets from Basics residents Ralph Lawson, Tristan Da Cunha and James Holroyd.

Organisers have also confirmed that a new partnership with brewing giant HEINEKEN has been agreed for this and all other outdoor concerts featured as part of the Summer Series programme on Millennium Square. Working alongside the council’s contracted provider Premier Event Bars, HEINEKEN will be commissioning and installing all the festival style bar infrastructure including fast pour / multiple dispense units (MDU’s) together with showcasing a selection of their premium product range including Amstel lager and Dark Fruit Cider. This will support the aim of providing customers with an improved customer experience and efficient bar service at these events.

Bobby Collins, Multiple Account Manager for HEINEKEN said:

“We are really excited to strengthen our event and venue portfolio in Leeds with the addition of Millennium Square which is such an iconic venue in the heart of the city centre. The annual Summer Series is growing year by year and we look forward to working closely with the council to develop a long and mutually beneficial partnership over the coming years.”

Tickets for The Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics are priced at £32.50 and are on sale now through the City Centre Box Office (0113 3760318), Opera North and at www.millsqleeds.com

The Symphonic Sounds of Back to Basics event is organised in partnership between Leeds City Council and Opera North and is the first in a trio of summer collaborations over the course of the same weekend as part of the Opera North in the City Festival and the annual Summer Series event programme on Millennium Square.

For further details about the Summer Series programme, ticking, venue and visitor information visit www.millsqleeds.com

/ENDS

For further venue information, artist contacts and comment from Leeds City Council, please contact:

Colin Dickinson, Communications Officer

colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk 0113 378 9170

www.leeds.gov.uk/