As pop sensation Jess Glynne plays Sandown Park this month, Rosanna Greenstreet reports on her success to date and her passion for horses. You can enter our competition to win tickets to see Jess play at Sandown park by clicking here
Since signing a record deal in 2013, Jess Glynne has notched up an impressive list of achievements. Not only has she had five UK number one singles, her album I Cry When I Laugh was the highest-selling debut of the past year.
So far 2016 has seen the 26-year old north Londoner perform at the Brits with a medley of Ain’t Got Far to Go, Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself and Hold My Hand; in April she was nominated for an Ivor Novello and, on July 1, she will be crowned Jack Daniel’s Best Newcomer at the prestigious annual Nordoff Robbins 02 Silver Clef Awards. Later this month, on July 13, she rocks into Esher to play Sandown Park.
The Sandown date is part of the Jockey Club Live programme which combines the biggest names in pop with horse-racing. This is Jess’s first foray into such events and one of her dates – at Haydock Park on Merseyside – is already sold out. She is delighted that tickets are selling so well.
“I am always surprised and overwhelmed; I’m looking forward to all of them,” she says of the music/race evenings, not least because she likes a flutter.
“I have been to Ascot a couple of times which was a laugh with my friends. I’ll have a look at the runners and riders and see if any names pop out,” says Jess, adding, “I loved horse riding when I was growing up and used to go all the time.”
Indeed such is her love for horses, she has decided to donate a percentage of her appearance fee to the Retraining of Racehorses charity.
“I love horses and when I was first approached about playing these dates at racecourses, it made me think about what happens to the horses that get injured or just too old to race, so I did some research and found out about the charity and the work it does. When I agreed to the dates I said I’d do them if I could donate some of my fee to the charity. The Jockey Club kindly agreed to match my donation.
“I’m just finishing rehearsals now for all the summer shows and I’m super excited!” she continues, remaining tight-lipped as to the actual content of each concert. “You’re going to have to wait and see… I’m sure there will be a fair few songs that you will know.”
Jess is also giving thought to her second album. “I’m always writing – I keep all these ideas on my phone – but it’s early days.”
Before she can get back to recording, there are performances at Haydock Park, Newmarket, Market Rasen and, of course, Sandown and Jess can’t wait.
“I’ve never had horses as an opening act before,” she laughs, “Looking forward to it!”
For tickets go to thejockeyclublive.co.uk.
We have two pairs of tickets to see Jess Glynne at Sandown to give away, enter the competition by clicking here
For more great local interviews click here, like our recent chinwag with model Lily Bailey
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