26th October 2012

This October, Lionel Richie fans will be dancing on the ceiling, all night long when the soul legend stops off on his European tour.

As part of the show you will hear some of his best-loved tracks – including ‘Endless Love’, ‘Easy’ and ‘Angel’ – which he has re-recorded for his new album ‘Tuskegee’. Named after his place of birth, the album features new versions of old classics as he duets with the likes of Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and even Pixie Lott.

Lionel Richie Hospitality Packages

Premium Hospitality packages include:

• Excellent reserved seat ticket
• VIP car parking
• Pre-show and interval access to a private lounge
• Three inclusive drinks
• A selection of hot food before the show

Cost £129 + vat p.p

Paramount Hospitality packages include:

• Excellent reserved seat ticket
• VIP car parking
• Access to private restaurant
• A welcome drink
• Four course dinner prior to the Show

Cost £179 + vat p.p

As a student in Tuskegee, Lionel Richie formed a succession of R&B groups in the mid-1960s. In 1968 he became a singer and saxophonist with the Commodores. They signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records in 1968 for one record before moving on to Motown Records initially as a support act to The Jackson 5. The Commodores then became established as a popular soul group.
Their first several albums had a danceable, funky sound, as in such tracks as “Machine Gun” and “Brick House.” Over time, Richie wrote and sang more romantic, easy-listening ballads such as “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Still,” and the tragic breakup ballad “Sail On.”

By the late 1970s he had begun to accept songwriting commissions from other artists. He composed “Lady” for Kenny Rogers, which hit No1 in 1980, and produced Rogers’s album Share Your Love the following year. Richie and Rogers maintained a strong friendship in later years. Latin jazz composer and salsa romantica pioneer La Palabra enjoyed international success with his cover of “Lady,” which was played at Latin dance clubs. Also in 1981 Lionel Richie sang the theme song for the film Endless Love, a duet with Diana Ross. Issued as a single, the song topped the UK and US pop music charts, and became one of Motown’s biggest hits. Its success encouraged Richie to branch out into a full-fledged solo career in 1982. He was replaced as lead singer for The Commodores by Skyler Jett in 1983. His debut album, Lionel Richie, produced another chart-topping single, “Truly,” which continued the style of his ballads with the Commodores. Lionel Richie’s 1982 self-titled debut contained three hit singles: the U.S. No1 song “Truly”, which launched his career as one of the most successful balladeers of the 1980s, and the Top Five hits “You Are” and “My Love.” The album hit No3 on the music charts and sold over 4 million copies. His 1983 follow-up album, Can’t Slow Down, sold over twice as many copies and won two Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, propelling him into the first rank of international superstars. The album contained the No1 hit “All Night Long” a Caribbean-flavored dance number that was promoted by a colorful music video produced by former Monkee Michael Nesmith. In 1984, Richie performed “All Night Long” at the closing ceremony of the XXIII Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Several more Top 10 hits followed, the most successful of which was the ballad “Hello” (1984), a sentimental love song that showed how far Richie had moved from his R&B roots. Lionel had three more Top Ten hits in 1984, “Stuck on You”, “Running with the Night” and “Penny Lover”. Now described by one critic as “the black Barry Manilow,” in 1985 he wrote and performed a suitably soothing theme song, “Say You, Say Me,” for the film White Nights, winning an Oscar for his efforts as well as reaching No1 on the U.S. charts and staying there for four weeks, making it the No1 song of 1985 according to Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 chart. He also collaborated with Michael Jackson on the charity single “We Are the World” by USA for Africa, another No1 hit.

In 1986, Lionel Richie released Dancing on the Ceiling, his last widely popular album, which produced a run of US and UK hits including “Say You, Say Me”, “Dancing on the Ceiling” “Ballerina Girl”, and “Se La”, Richie’s most recent U.S. Pop Top Twenty hit. The title selection was accompanied by a video directed by Stanley Donen, which reportedly drew inspiration from Royal Wedding, a 1951 Fred Astaire film Donen had directed. The critical consensus was that this album represented nothing more than a consolidation of his previous work, though Richie’s collaboration with the country group Alabama on “Deep River Woman” did break new ground. By 1987, Richie was exhausted from his work schedule and after a controversial year laid low, taking care of his father in Alabama. His father, Lionel Sr., died in 1990. Richie made his return to recording and performing following the release of his first greatest-hits collection, Back to Front, in 1992.

Since then, his ever-more-relaxed schedule has kept his recording and live work to a minimum. He broke the silence in 1996 with Louder Than Words, on which he resisted any change of style or the musical fashion-hopping of the past decade, sticking instead with his chosen path of well-crafted soul music, which in the intervening years has become known as Contemporary R&B.

Lional’s albums in the 1990s such as Louder Than Words and Time failed to match the commercial success of his earlier work. Some of his recent albums, such as Renaissance, have returned to his older style and achieved success in Europe but only modest notice in the United States. Since 2004, he has produced a total of six Top 40 singles in the UK. On March 2011, he is to tour Australia next year and is scheduled to perform at several winery events in March 2011.

In 2002, his song “Running with the Night” was featured on the Rockstar North video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City though the song was removed from later versions of the game. In 2004, he appeared on Canadian Idol as his songs were featured during a Canadian Idol week.

Later in 2004, he also appeared on the British motoring television series Top Gear in the “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” segment where he was interviewed by host Jeremy Clarkson. During his lap, the Suzuki Liana he was driving lost a wheel due to hard cornering.

In November 2005, Lionel Richie performed with Kenny Rogers on a CMT Crossroads special. The show gave an informative insight into their friendship both in and out of the music world.
Richie was also the headliner at a 2000 Fourth of July tribute concert with Fantasia Barrino at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. On May 7, 2006, Lionel Richie performed on the main stage (Acura Stage) at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, replacing Antoine “Fats” Domino, who had fallen ill. Richie released his eighth studio album entitled “Coming Home” on September 12, 2006. The first single of the album was “I Call It Love” and was premiered in July 2006, becoming his biggest hit in the U.S. in ten years. The album was an incredible success for Richie in the United States, peaking at No6. His adopted daughter Nicole Richie stars in the music video for this track.

On December 9, 2006, Richie hosted and performed live on the British television show An Audience with Lionel Richie. Two months later, he performed “Hello” on the 49th Grammy Awards show.

On November 25, 2007, he made a surprise appearance on the Australian Idol grand finale performing “All Night Long (All Night)” at the Sydney Opera House. Richie donated to Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign.

On May 2, 2008, Lionel Richie was the 21st recipient of the George and Ira Gershwin Lifetime Achievement Award at UCLA’s annual Spring Sing. In accepting the award, Richie said:
“Forget about surviving 30 some odd years in the music business, Lionel Richie survived 27 years of Nicole Richie.”

Recently, he has announced that he would like to get The Commodores back together soon, “or in the next 10 years no one will care.”

On December 31, 2008, Richie performed in Times Square for the New Year’s Eve celebration and ball drop. He also performed on the 2009 season finale for American Idol with Danny Gokey.
A new album, Just Go was released in spring 2009 – around the time Lionel confirmed there is to be a Commodores reunion in the near future.

On July 7, 2009, Lionel Richie performed “Jesus is Love” at Michael Jackson’s memorial service.

On May 30, 2010, Lionel performed at the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington D.C., singing “Stuck on You” and “America the Beautiful.” Lionel Richie himself, is from a military family.
Lionel Richie and Guy Sebastian performed “All Night Long” during his 2011 Australian and New Zealand tour. In Australia on October 2, 2010, Richie performed at the AFL Grand Final Replay in the Pre-game entertainment to a sell out crowd and also post match at AAMI Park.
Richie returned to Australia in 2011 where he and guest artist Guy Sebastian toured Australia and New Zealand with concert tour dates spread throughout the months of March and April 2011.
Richie and Guy Sebastian have recorded Richie’s 1983 No1 single “All Night Long” together, to raise money for Australian and New Zealand flood and earthquake relief. Richie handpicked Sebastian to support him in Australia and the pair will perform the song together at each concert.

On March 26, 2012, Lionel Richie released Tuskegee, featuring 13 of his hit songs performed as duets with country stars. His duet partners on Tuskegee include Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Little Big Town, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett. In an interview with American Songwriter Magazine, Lionel Richie explained the new duets of his hit songs with, “I’m just gonna stand next to them again with great country artists and hug them.”

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12th & 20 th March 2013

Following a hugely successful sold out arena tour this year, Olly Murs has announced a series of UK Arena dates for March 2013, coming to the LG Arena on Tuesday 12 March and the NIA on Wednesday 20 March.

Olly, whose current album ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ has been certified platinum, is set to get fans hearts skipping a beat on the other side of the pond as he is about to embark on a series of American dates with One Direction. His music will get its first release in the US later this year. The cheeky Essex chap is certainly keeping busy, as he has announced that he is currently working on his third album, which is due for release later this year.

Olly Murs Hospitality Packages

Premium Hospitality packages include:

• Excellent reserved seat ticket
• VIP car parking
• Pre-show and interval access to a private lounge
• Three inclusive drinks
• A selection of hot food before the show

Cost £99 + vat p.p

Immediately after the X Factor Final, where he finished in second place to Joe McElderry, Olly Murs announced he had signed a joint record deal between Epic Records and Syco Music in February 2010. It was announced that Olly Murs began working with John Shanks and Eg White. It was later confirmed that Roy Stride, Trevor Horn, Wayne Hector and Matty Benbrook would have involvement on the album which he collaborated with to make the “best possible songs”.More writers and producerswere confirmed to be working with Olly in the studio including; Phil Thornalley, Martin Brammer, Samuel Preston, Mark Taylor and Chris Difford. Professor Green was due to appear on the album, however, the duet fell through before recording was completed. “Heart on My Sleeve” is a cover of the song originally recorded by American Idol finalist Michael Johns.

Murs confirmed the first single from the album to be titled “Please Don’t Let Me Go”, which was released on 27 August 2010 following the circulation of the accompanying music video.
The song was written by Murs himself and with other songwriters, Claude Kelly and Steve Robson; the single was also produced by Future Cut. The song is about a minor relationship Murs was in where he ended up feeling something for the other person. Murs commented: “Sadly she kept giving me the impression that she didn’t like me as much, and ultimately it didn’t work out, so that’s where the idea of me singing ‘Please Don’t Let Me Go’ came from.” The song was described as “a lovely summery reggae-tinged pop tune that bobs along in a thoroughly hummable
and not un-Will Young-like fashion” and said that the music video “is just as quintessentially pleasant”. During the release, Murs was told not to get his hopes up for a number-one due to Katy Perry releasing “Teenage Dream” the same day. On 5 September 2010, the single entered the UK Singles Charts at number 1 beating Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”. The song was released with the B-side track, entitled “This One’s for the Girls” also entered the UK Singles Charts, debuting at number 69, was written for all of his female fans.

His debut album was released in November 2010; which was a self-titled album, Olly Murs The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number two, with the biggest week one album sales for a debut album in 2010, with over 108,000 albums sold. The album also charted on the Irish Albums Chart where it found itself peaking at number eleven. The second single was “Thinking of Me”, written by Murs, Steve Robson and Hector, and co-produced by Future Cut and Steve Robson. It was released on 19 November 2010, prior to the album’s release. It was reported that Professor Green would feature on the single, however, the duet fell through before it was completed.

The single was added to BBC Radio 1’s C Playlist on 3 November 2010. Murs performed the single for the first time on The X Factor. Upon the release the single charted at number four on the
UK Singles Charts and thirteen on the Irish Singles Charts. On 13 November Murs turned the Christmas lights on in Paisley and he also turned on the Christmas lights near his hometown in
Chelmsford, Essex. Renfrew Council was criticised in the media for the £15,000 fee that Murs was paid to turn on the lights, after announcing that they were axing 500 jobs.

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6th December 2012

Peter Andre will be getting ‘up close and personal’ with his fans as he kicks off his brand new tour next year, which will be hitting Birmingham’s NIA on Thursday 6 December.

The ‘Hardest Working Man in Pop’, as voted for by PRS, sold over 150,000 concert tickets for his massive arena tour in 2010 and had platinum success with his album ‘Revelation’. Peter has also been busy with his hugely successful television series which was recently nominated for a National Television Award. On the night, he will be performing classics such as ‘Mysterious Girl’ and ‘Behind Closed Doors’ with his full live band, as well as new material from his soon to be announced studio album.

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Hospitality Packages

Premium Hospitality packages include:

• Excellent reserved seat ticket
• VIP car parking
• Pre-show and interval access to a private lounge        
• Three inclusive drinks
• A selection of hot food before the show

Cost £99 + vat per person

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15th June 2012

Undoubtedly one of the biggest artists in the world, Elton John and his band will bring their unforgettable live show to Birmingham for one special night in June.

The concert will take place at the LG Arena, Birmingham on Friday 15 June 2012. The fully reserved seated concert will give thousands of fans the opportunity to dance and sing along to his much-loved songs.

Elton John said:“Last October I played my 3000th live concert, and I am still as excited about playing live as I was when my career began – in fact probably more so. I have played Birmingham many times since my first concert there in January 1971 at Mothers, and the audiences have been always fantastic. So I’m looking forward to returning – you can expect a night of hit songs, singing, dancing and lots of fun!”

As one of the greatest and most successful live artists, Elton John’s spectacular stage shows continue to leave the competition standing! Elton will perform over two hours of hits from an incredible back catalogue, including such classics as ‘Bennie and The Jets’, ‘Crocodile Rock’ and ‘Your Song’.

With a career that spans five decades, Elton John is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time. Along with his long-term lyricist Bernie Taupin, Elton has achieved 35 gold and 25 platinum albums, 29 consecutive Top 40 hits and has sold an amazing 250-million records worldwide. He has been awarded numerous Grammy, Oscars, Ivor Novello and Brit Awards, as well as a knighthood from the Queen.

With a career that has kept him at the top of the charts for over 40 years, John’s lifework has amalgamated into more than that of just a recording artist. Through a partnership with lyricist Tim Rice came the music for both the feature film and Broadway stage production of ‘The Lion King.’

Elton John also wrote the music for the stage production of ‘Billy Elliot: The Musical’ and more recently for the box office smash, ‘Gnomeo & Juliet.’ And just last year, Elton forged a collaboration with his long-time musical hero, Leon Russell, on the T Bone Burnett produced album, ‘The Union’.

His most recent project opened in September in Las Vegas with the return of Elton to The Colosseum, Caesars Palace, with a brand new show, ‘The Million Dollar Piano’, billed as “a gargantuan feast of music and imagery“. The Million Dollar Piano is set for a three-year residency at The Colosseum, and Elton’s second as a Caesars Palace headliner.

Elton John Hospitality Packages

Premium Hospitality packages include:

• Excellent reserved seat ticket
• VIP car parking
• Pre-show and interval access to a private lounge
• Three inclusive drinks
• A selection of hot food before the show

Cost £149 + vat p.p

Paramount Hospitality packages include:

• Excellent reserved seat ticket
• VIP car parking
• Access to private restaurant
• A welcome drink
• Four course dinner prior to the Show

Cost £179 + vat p.p

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in the black events and BestF1Tickets.com are therefore urging F1 fans near and far to take action now to avoid disappointment.

“The Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix is set to be the most exciting one to date,” said Richard Cregan, chief executive officer of Yas Marina Circuit, which will host the race from 2nd – 4th November 2012 “Working closely with our partners, we have extended ticket and entertainment options this year and the response from the fans has been overwhelmingly positive, as seen through our strong ticket sales.”

In addition to an expanded variety of seating and hospitality upgrades available for the first time, fans can also expect a wider entertainment programme both on and off track.

On track, the popular Australian V8 Supercars series will be the official F1 support race. Race goers can also buy select seating packages granting exclusive weekend access to both V8 Supercar and F1 pits, while all fans will have access to their favourite motorsport stars at any one of the planned Oasis area autograph sessions.  Off track, free concerts are planned for the Corniche, and the wheels are in motion for an even wider programme of events that will include, as in previous years exclusive F1 ticket-holder only entertainment.

“In developing these options, we want to ensure that every fan, whether it is their first or fourth Grand Prix has an extraordinary experience before, during, and after the race has ended,” added Cregan.

Other ticket options include Marina Club and South Club upgrades, and for corporate fans or groups, the Yas Viceroy Hotel Private Suites & Terrace Tickets and Marina Grandstand Boxes are also available. Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix Tickets and Corporate Hospitality Packages are now available.

Sunday 9th September 2012, Twickenham Stadium

It’s here! The most talked about woman in pop this decade has announced just two UK dates in her European tour; Manchester and London. This is an event not to be missed, her live shows
are famous across the globe and you will be sure to get your money’s worth at this event. Gaga herself has proclaimed that she is going to perform the “most spectacular show London has
ever seen”. Don’t miss out on history in the making.

Premium Heavy Metal Lover Package:
Top priced seated ticket to see Lady Gaga live in concert on the ‘Born This Way Ball’
Champagne reception
Three course meal with fine wines and coffee
Complimentary bar (pre & post show)*
Resident DJ
Exclusive ‘Born This Way Ball’ tour gift for each guest (handed out on show night)
Souvenir ‘Born This Way Ball’ tour laminate
Private tables for ten guests, smaller numbers would be on shared tables
*excludes champagne

Cost £359 + vat per person

Heavy Metal Lover Package:
Top priced seated ticket to see Lady Gaga live in concert on the ‘Born This Way Ball’
Two hour pre-show party in a private facility at Twickenham Stadium
Individual gourmet bowl food during pre-show party
Complimentary bar during the two hour pre-show party*
Exclusive ‘Born This Way Ball’ gift
Souvenir ‘Born This Way Ball’ tour laminate
*excludes champagne

 Cost £299 + vat per person

Overturn finished second in the Champion Hurdle to Rock On Ruby, finishing second again under top weight to stable-mate Ile De Re as he tried to win consecutive Chester Cups.

Despite ground softer than ideal, and racing off a 7lb higher mark, he ran another massive race before being passed late on by Ile De Re.

McCain as his next race for which he is a best-priced 33-1 with Totesport and Betfred has earmarked the Gold Cup on June 21 at Royal Ascot, the feature race on Ladies Day.

The trainer is quoted as saying “Almost definitely he will got to Royal Ascot and it’s almost definitely for the Gold Cup. We’ve got nothing to lose. He’ll turn up on the day and do what Overturn does. If that’s not good enough then fine, but he deserves his chance. He’s gone up to 112 now so we’ll go and hopefully get ground we can run on and see what happens.”

On another front Sir Henry Cecil is delighted with Frankel ahead of his seasonal return in this Saturday’s Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The unbeaten four-year-old will bid for his 10th victory at Newbury this weekend before heading to Royal Ascot in June. He could either stay at a mile there or step up to 1m 2f.

Cecil is quoted as saying “The injury should not recur and he’s fine. We did not want the injury hiccup. I think it is important to get a race into him before Ascot and it is a long time until then.”

His options at Ascot are the Queen Anne over a mile or the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes over 10 furlongs, while the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in July is also another possible target.

Tickets and Corporate Hospitality Packages for Royal Ascot are available from in the black events now.

The BRDC is now continuing talks with the group while also looking for other investors.

This means that an American consortium financed out of New York and working with partners including Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, is back in the running to take over a long-term lease of Silverstone where the F1 British Grand Prix will take place on Sunday 8^th July 2012.

The future of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire is secure however as there is still 15 years to go on the agreement to hold the F1 race at Silverstone.

Silverstone says expansion of Northamptonshire circuit will happen despite the failure to sign a deal and they are confident plans to improve the Northamptonshire race track will still go ahead, despite no deal having yet been signed to fund the project.

F1 Tickets and Corporate Hospitality Packages for the 2012 British Grand Prix are available from in the black events http://www.intheblackevents.com/motorsport-tickets-hospitality/f1-silverstone-tickets-and-hospitality-packages-2012/

“There is no denying the attachment people feel to their mobile phones,” said R&A chief executive Peter Dawson. “Allowing their use at the championship will enrich their Open experience.”

“We understand there will be concerns over this change in policy but we will be liaising with spectators around the tented village and food and drink outlets. Strict rules will be put in place designed to ensure that play is not affected in any way by the change. Spectators are very knowledgeable and understand golf and so we are confident they will respect the players.”

The vast majority of fans at Lytham will welcome the relaxation of rules. It is to be hoped the R&A are not let down by an unaware minority because no one wants to see the golf disturbed by a rogue ring tone at the wrong moment. The move will require close stewarding, but mobiles are allowed at many tournaments and incidents affecting play are rare.

Mobile phones were first banned for the 2007 Open at Carnoustie after players complained about the number in use at the previous Championship at Hoylake.

The Open Golf Championship last visited Lytham in 2001, when David Duval of the United States won the claret jug. Since then, all but four holes have undergone some form of redevelopment, with almost 200 yards added to the overall length of the course.

The 492-yard sixth hole has also been downgraded to a par-four, making the 7,086-yard course a par 70 for the Championship.

Open Golf Tickets and Corporate Hospitality Packages are available NOW

Ferrari are believed to have made enquiries about the Scot’s availability after the Chinese Grand Prix 3 weeks ago.

They are also believed to have begun looking at replacements in case the underperforming Brazilian fails to improve over the rest of the season.

Mark Webber has been strongly ruled out of the move by Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

Thoughts are that Ferrari are unlikely to be willing to upset star performer Fernando Alonso by making a big-money bid for world champion Sebastian Vettel. However, Maranello’s bosses are known to be impressed with Di Resta who beat Vettel when they were teammates in Formula 3, his pace and consistency since arriving in F1 last year has definitely impressed Ferrari bosses and a few others.

He has scored points finishes in three of the first four rounds this year and comprehensively outclassed highly rated new teammate Nico Hulkenberg in what could be a breakthrough season for both of these young protagonists.

Di Resta, Webber, Massa, Vettel, Alonso and Hulkenberg are ALL due to take part at Silverstone Circuit. Tickets and Corporate Hospitality packages are available NOW for The 2012 F1 British Grand Prix.