Nile Rodgers & CHIC at Aintree Racecourse

10/06/22

Liverpool has some huge names gracing its stages this June. There was The Rolling Stones this week, Eagles the week after. Tonight we’re at Aintree Racecourse to see Chic ft. Nile Rodgers

The last time this writer saw a gig on a racecourse was around 2002 when The Polyphonic Spree, Aqualung and Jamelia played to a bunch of Christian hippies on Cheltenham Racecourse. We have photo evidence of this somewhere in the archives…

Legendary songwriter/guitarist/ producer/collaborator Nile Rogers playing at Aintree Racecourse, as the sun set was a whole other vibe. After an early evening of races on what feels like one of the first nice days of the year despite it being June plus a set list full of old favourites from the past 50 years. It was like one gigantic wedding reception. We’d love more gigs to start where you can sit next to a parade ground watching horses get walked about a bit as you wait for the music to begin.

Nile Rodgers&Chic_Aintree Racecourse_Credit: Lucy McLachlan

Drummer Ralph Rolle uses his drumsticks to point toward the arrival onstage of the great man himself. Dressed in a very suave red suit Rodgers very gracefully reminds us that he’s worked with the likes of Diana Ross, Duran Duran, Lady Gaga and Daft Punk (and that’s not even scratching the surface of the names he’s collaborated with). Tonight we’ll be treated to a set list of his number one songs.

And what a set it was, starting off with Chic disco faves I Want Your Love and Everybody Dance. It’s then straight into Diana Ross’s I’m Coming Out and Sister Sledge’s We Are Family with vocals provided by captivating singers Kimberly Davis and Audrey Martells.

By now bin bags of gin and tonic cans and plastic see through gift bags to hold bottles of Prosecco littered the floor as the whole crowd danced the evening away.

Kimberly Davis of Chic_Credit: Lucy McLachlan

The sheer number of hits Rodgers has produced is incredible. There’s a Madonna medley featuring Like A Virgin and Material Girl as he produced her Like A Virgin album. We’re also treated to a version of the 2000 Modjo song Lady (Hear Me Tonight) as it sampled Chic song, Soup For One. Then there’s Bowie’s Let’s Dance and Daft Punk’s Get Lucky. It’s not your average show. Every song played is incredibly well known to everyone to the point you could be listening to a covers band. Instead, we’re hearing them straight from the man who had a hand in creating every single one and that makes for a very special live experience.

Ending with the huge Chic disco classic Le Freak, the whole crowd really had danced their socks (and shoes) off. Amazing party atmosphere at Aintree, we enjoyed every minute.

Words and Photography: Lucy McLachlan

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