The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is thrilled to announce Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sam Smith will perform at Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 6 November, 2018.
The British superstar will sing two of his smash hits in the Mounting Yard ahead of ‘the race that stops a nation’™ at Flemington Racecourse.
It will be the 26-year-old’s first appearance in Australia on his The Thrill Of It All World Tour which begins its Australian leg at Rod Laver Arena that night on Tuesday 6 November followed by a second Melbourne show on Wednesday 7 November.
Speaking from San Diego, California during his world tour, Smith said he’s looking forward to performing at Flemington on Australia’s premier raceday.
“I am so excited to be playing at the Lexus Melbourne Cup this year!”
VRC Chief Executive Officer Neil Wilson said the Club is delighted to welcome Smith to Flemington.
“Lexus Melbourne Cup Day is one of the biggest days on the nation’s calendar so it’s only fitting we welcome one of entertainment’s biggest stars to Flemington for the celebration,” Mr Wilson said.
“Fans flock to the Melbourne Cup Carnival not just for the world-class racing but also the fantastic Cup Day atmosphere and Sam Smith will no doubt delight racegoers.”
Taking his acclaimed sophomore album The Thrill Of It All on the road, Smith will perform eight arena shows across the nation in his first Australian tour in three years.
Upon its release last November, The Thrill Of It All debuted at the top of the charts in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand and at #2 on the ARIA Album Chart, and has already gathered more than 4 million album sales worldwide.
Featuring his first ARIA #1 single Too Good at Goodbyes, the album follows Smith’s big-selling 2014 debut In the Lonely Hour (13 million in sales) which included ARIA top-ten singles Stay with Me and Lay Me Down.
Lexus Melbourne Cup Day is the jewel in the crown of the Melbourne Cup Carnival – a uniquely Australian celebration of sport, fashion, food and wine and culture, attracting more than 315,000 racegoers to Flemington Racecourse over four magical racedays each year.
The VRC will lift the curtain on the Melbourne Cup Carnival on AAMI Victoria Derby Day on 3 November, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 6 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 8 November and Seppelt Wines Stakes Day on Saturday 10 November.
Tickets and hospitality packages can be purchased from www.flemington.com.au
Australian stars to entertain The Park at Melbourne Cup Carnival
Some of the biggest music acts in Australia – The Presets, Amy Shark and Conrad Sewell – will hit the stage in The Park during the 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse.
The stellar lineup will entertain music fans and racegoers alike across AAMI Victoria Derby Day (Saturday 3 November), Lexus Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday 6 November), Kennedy Oaks Day (Thursday 8 November), and Seppelt Wines Stakes Day (Saturday 10 November).
AAMI Victoria Derby Day will feature the electronic dance music of ARIA Award nominee Hayden James, and the freak-beat avant-funk of Miami Horror.
Chart-toppers The Presets will have Lexus Melbourne Cup Day in party mode as they return from touring the USA after the release of their long awaited fourth album, HI VIZ. And DJ YO! MAFIA will bring her incredible ability to mix a variety of genres into one big party set to Australia’s biggest raceday.
The music talent to grace The Park stage hits overdrive on Kennedy Oaks Day with indie-pop singer-songwriter Amy Shark to perform tunes from her number one album Love Monster and smash debut EP Night Thinker. Furnace and the Fundamentals will entertain with their immense repertoire spanning countless hits, while Thandi Phoenix will bring her powerhouse vocals to ‘Ladies Day’ at Flemington.
Cup Week culminates on Seppelt Wines Stakes Day featuring ARIA Award-winner Conrad Sewell performing his hits including Start Again and Healing Hands, plus New Zealand DJ/Production duo Sweet Mix Kids.
Amy Shark said she’s looking forward to being at Flemington for the world’s most vibrant racing event.
“There’s so much history associated with the Melbourne Cup Carnival so it’s an honour to be asked to play. There’s always so much going on from the racing to the fashion.”
Conrad Sewell said he’s excited to attend Melbourne Cup Carnival for the first time.
“I’ve never been before. And there’s nothing better than seeing a bunch of people dressed all fancy winning and celebrating with friends. Plus, I like hats.”
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Executive General Manager Customer Engagement Caroline Ralphsmith said The Park lineup across the week is sure to delight music fans.
“The VRC is committed to providing a fully immersive experience for racegoers at Flemington and The Park has something for everyone – music, fashion, food and entertainment. The Club is proud to showcase local talent at Australia’s most celebrated major event, the Melbourne Cup Carnival.”
Mushroom Group Chairman Michael Gudinski, who helped curate the lineup, said The Park continues to host the best of Australian music.
“Now in its third year, The Park is really establishing itself as a credible music festival offering, going from strength to strength each year.”
In addition to the main stage, the Rotunda in The Park will host various performances across the racedays.
Boasting pop-ups from Melbourne’s hottest food institutions, Myer Fashions on the Field, and activations from official sponsors, The Park offers a memorable experience for everyone. With a myriad of fun activities, The Park is one of the hottest destinations over Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Entrance to The Park is free for all racegoers. Tickets to all four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival are available at flemington.com.au.
