With the easing of lockdown restrictions comes a brand-new event and the chance to enjoy live outdoor concerts again. Complying with Covid-19 guidelines, Sounds in the Grounds brings great live music to the grounds of two of North Yorkshire’s most beautiful stately homes – Scampston Hall near Malton and Ripley Castle near Harrogate – over August Bank Holiday weekend and the first weekend of September.
Audiences can come together and enjoy a line-up of best-loved and internationally renowned bands from their own designated picnic patch – for two, four or six people – which will be socially distanced from others but close enough to share the fun.
In fully-staged productions with LED screens on either side of the stage, Sounds in the Grounds offers a choice of:
- Beyond the Barricade (with special guest star Lockie Chapman, former lead singer of The Overtones) performing songs from the world’s greatest musicals (28 Aug at Scampston Hall, 4 Sept at Ripley Castle)
- ABBA MANIA with flares, platforms and all your favourite hits from the Swedish Supergroup (29 Aug at Scampston Hall, 5 Sept at Ripley Castle)
- The Bootleg Beatles, the world’s premier Beatles band and a Glastonbury favourite (30 Aug at Scampston Hall, 3 Sept at Ripley Castle)
- A Country Night in Nashville, a celebration of country music with songs from its biggest stars both past and present (31 Aug at Scampston Hall, 6 Sept at Ripley Castle)
The support act to every concert will be another Glastonbury sensation – The New York Brass Band, performing a different repertoire every night, from jazz to 80s to current hits, kicking off an evening of superb live entertainment. Gates will open at 5.00pm (4.00pm on Monday 31st August and Sunday 6th September) giving visitors time to enjoy their picnic before The New York Brass Band starts at 6.00pm (5.00pm on above dates).
Sounds in the Grounds concerts are designed to comply with all official guidance on Covid-19, ensuring audiences can enjoy live music outdoors in a safe and responsible way. The picnic patches will be defined by painted lines in the 1888-capacity grass arena within the grounds, with views of the stately home. They will be set out in alternating rows, of patches for two people, followed by a row of patches for four people, then for six people. The patches have been designed to be one metre apart within each row, with two-metre aisles between the rows.
Organiser James Cundall said:
Sounds in the Grounds offers the opportunity to get together and enjoy a fun night of live music in a stunning setting in a socially distanced way. From ABBA to The Beatles and from the greatest musicals to Country and Western I hope we have something for everyone.
Visitors will need to bring their own chairs, and can bring a picnic, though we advise leaving tables at home for space reasons. There will be food and drink stalls at both concert venues, offering delicious options.
Sounds in the Grounds will take place at Scampston Hall near Malton from 28-31 August 2020, and from 3-6 September 2020 at Ripley Castle near Harrogate. Tickets for the four different concerts are on sale now and start at £59 (plus booking fees) for a standard picnic patch for two people. Tickets can be purchased at https://soundsinthegrounds.seetickets.com. All Covid-19 guidance from the Government and Public Health England is continuously monitored and followed.
The picnic patches will be defined by painted lines in a 1888-capacity grass arena and are available in three sizes:
for two people – 1.5m wide x 1.5m deep
for four people – 2.0m wide x 1.5m deep
for six people – 2.5m wide x 2.0m deep
They will be set out one metre apart in alternating rows, with two-metre aisles between rows. Patrons should bring their own chairs and may bring a picnic, but are requested to leave tables at home. There will be food and beverages available to purchase at both venues.
About the Shows
Enjoy the best-loved songs from the world’s greatest West End and Broadway musicals in a glittering concert. Starring past principal performers from Les Misérables in the West End and on tour, the blockbusting two-hour show features hit songs from The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Evita, Miss Saigon, Chicago, Hamilton, Jesus Christ Superstar, Come From Away and many others, with a spectacular finale from Les Misérables. Now in its 21st year, the critically acclaimed BEYOND THE BARRICADE has been delighting audiences around the world, from the Royal Albert Hall to Australia.
*With Guest Star – LOCKIE CHAPMAN
The man with the golden voice! Lockie is a multi-platinum selling artist and was a founding member and lead singer with hit band The Overtones. His rich baritone voice and Aussie sense of humour have earned him legions of fans over the years. Making his debut with Beyond the Barricade, Lockie will captivate audiences with showstopping songs.
ABBA MANIA
From London’s West End to Las Vegas, ABBA MANIA is the world’s number one touring ABBA tribute and has performed in over 30 countries around the world, delighting more than three million people over the last two decades. In an exhilarating two-hour recreation of ABBA’s last ever concert, ABBA MANIA brings to life the flamboyance of the 70s and all the uplifting, dance-inducing, and sometimes heart-breaking songs from the Swedish ‘Supergroup’, fully live with fantastic costumes, staging, lighting and effects. ABBA MANIA is the perfect excuse to party, so dig out those platforms, dust down those flares and enjoy all your favourite hits!
THE BOOTLEG BEATLES
Celebrating 40 years since their debut on the West End stage in ‘Beatlemania’, the world’s premier Beatles band continues to draw critical acclaim with their flawless recreation of the greatest songbook of all time. Tracing the Fab Four’s journey through the swinging 60s, every tiny detail is forensically observed from their authentic period costumes and instruments, to their witty stage banter and “inflection perfect” vocals. The Bootleg Beatles is an absolute must for Beatlemaniacs of all ages.
A COUNTRY NIGHT IN NASHVILLE
The show all country music fans have been waiting for! Recreating the energy and atmosphere of a buzzing Honky Tonk in downtown Nashville, A Country Night In Nashville takes you on a journey through the history of country music. With hits from its biggest stars both past and present, from Johnny Cash to Kenny Rogers, Dolly to the Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson to Shania Twain, this incredible celebration of country music is a night not to be missed.
THE NEW YORK BRASS BAND
Hailing from the ancient streets of York, the New York Brass Band is a powerhouse 7-piece ensemble at the forefront of a funky brass revolution. With a repertoire that ranges from Marvin Gaye to George Michael, from Cee-Lo Green to Stevie Wonder, with some funky, gritty northern originals thrown in for good measure, nothing kicks a party into gear like the sound of a smokin’ New Orleans Mardi Gras Jazz Band! They pull in the crowds at Glastonbury and are sure to be a hit at Sounds in the Grounds too!
Times and Prices
Scampston Hall, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8NG
Friday 28th August 5.00pm Gates open
6.00pm New York Brass Band
7.30pm Beyond the Barricade with Lockie Chapman
Saturday 29th August 5.00pm Gates open
6.00pm New York Brass Band
7.30pm ABBA MANIA
Sunday 30th August 5.00pm Gates open
6.00pm New York Brass Band
7.30pm The Bootleg Beatles
Monday 31st August 4.00pm Gates open
5.00pm New York Brass Band
6.30pm A Country Night in Nashville
Ripley Castle, Ripley, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 3EA
Thursday 3rd Sept 5.00pm Gates open
6.00pm New York Brass Band
7.30pm The Bootleg Beatles
Friday 4th Sept 5.00pm Gates open
6.00pm New York Brass Band
7.30pm Beyond the Barricade with Lockie Chapman
Saturday 5th Sept 5.00pm Gates open
6.00pm New York Brass Band
7.30pm ABBA MANIA
Sunday 6th September 4.00pm Gates open
5.00pm New York Brass Band
6.30pm A Country Night in Nashville
The concerts will finish at approximately 10.00pm (9.00pm on Monday 31st August and Sunday 6th September).
Children aged three and over are welcome. All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult 18+.
Tickets can be purchased at https://soundsinthegrounds.seetickets.com. Booking fees apply.
There is ample free car parking at both venues
Dogs are not allowed, with the exception of assistance dogs.
The concerts will go ahead in all weathers, unless it is deemed too dangerous. Umbrellas will not be permitted as they impede the view of other patrons, so visitors are advised to dress according to the weather conditions.
COVID-19 Information
All Public Health England COVID-19 guidance followed
We will implement socially-distanced queuing at the entrance, and have In and Out lanes. We will be operating a one-way system around the arena.
All the aisles will be 2m wide and there will be a 1m gap between picnic patches.
Visitors will be encouraged to use hand sanitisers as they enter and leave the site, and are advised to wear face coverings at their discretion.
We will be using mobile individual Portaloos which will be regularly cleaned.
Perspex screens will be in place at box office and food outlets, and card and contactless phone payments only will be used on site.
All staff will wear face coverings and regularly use hand gel.
