Some of Australia’s hottest music acts – The Rubens, Illy, Betty Who, City Calm Down, SAFIA and Vera Blue – are set to entertain racegoers in Flemington’s newest playground, The Park, this Melbourne Cup Carnival.
First out of the barriers on AAMI Victoria Derby Day will be soul band Cookin’ on 3 Burners, whose smash hit remix of This Girl by DJ Kungs has had more than 87 million views on YouTube, followed by electronic four-piece City Calm Down. This year’s triple j Hottest 100 winners The Rubens will headline the day on the biggest stage ever erected for Australia’s most celebrated major event.
On Emirates Melbourne Cup Day, Australian pop sensation Betty Who will hit the stage performing her Aria Top 10 hit cover of I Love You Always Forever and the legendary Marcia Hines will continue the party with Disco Inferno.
Ladies will shine on Crown Oaks Day with indie darling Vera Blue followed by electro-indie three-piece SAFIA. Award-winning hip hop chart-topperIlly headlines the day and will be joined on stage by Vera Blue to perform their hit collaboration Papercuts.
On Emirates Stakes Day the focus shifts to family fun with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s ‘Very Big Laugh Out’, a concert that includes some of Australia’s best comic artists with extraordinary skills in circus, mime and physical comedy. The laughs will be followed by a performance from one of Melbourne’s finest funk acts, Saskwatch, and YouTube sensation William Singe.
Curated by the Mushroom Group, The Park live stage will feature a rolling all-Australian line up including support acts and DJs across all four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Patrons can also experience the world class racing on each day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival on The Park big screen.
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Executive General Manager Customer Engagement Caroline Ralphsmith said The Park entertainment line up would cater to all tastes.
“Fans flock to Flemington not just for the world class racing but also the fantastic Melbourne Cup Carnival atmosphere,” Ms Ralphsmith said.
“The home grown lineup has something for everyone, from well-known music names like The Rubens and Marcia Hines to emerging artists like Betty Who. The Park live stage is sure to add an extra layer of entertainment and will delight racegoers of all ages.”
Mushroom Group Chairman Michael Gudinski said he was excited to team up with the VRC this Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase live entertainment on the music stage in the Park and engage new audiences at Flemington,” Mr Gudinski said.
With a footprint of 10,000 square metres, The Park will be a playground of endless excitement and colour, including the largest ever Myer Fashions on the Field enclosure, pop-ups from Melbourne’s hottest restaurants and a myriad of activations from our official sponsors alongside a vintage Ferris wheel and carousel.
“The live stage is just one element of a beautifully curated Park experience that will include incredible event styling, fashion, food and wine delights, alongside sponsor activations that will truly bring the Flemington Playground to life,” Ms Ralphsmith said.
It is less than three weeks until the VRC lifts the curtain on AAMI Victoria Derby Day on 29 October, followed by Emirates Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 1 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 3 November and Emirates Stakes Day on Saturday 5 November.
Racegoers who snap up this year’s early bird general admission ticket offer will experience the Melbourne Cup Carnival at 2008 prices. Children under 16 are entitled to FREE general admission —a rarity for a major event.