Paloma Faith

Haydock Race Course, 1st July 2022

Double platinum and BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith brought her huge UK 2022 summer tour to Haydock Park Racecourse on Friday 1st July.

Review by Warren Millar

It’s been a busy year for the singer releasing her BBC documentary ‘Paloma Faith: As I Am’ earlier this year which received praise from critics and fans for it’s insight into the pop star’s life and frank discussions around motherhood. She also entered the world of interior design with the launch of her ‘Paloma Home collection‘ as well as filming season 3 of Pennyworth and the prequel series to Stephen Fears’ movie Dangerous Liaisons.

Plomas concert tonight is at Haydock Park Racecourse and what better way is there to enjoy top class horse racing and a top class artist such as Paloma Faith on a great afternoon and night at such an amazing venue like Haydock brought to us by The Jockey Club, under the banner ‘The Jockey Club Live‘, who put on these events and certainly know what the horse racing and general public want in terms of a good race card and entertainment afterwards. 

Arriving at Haydock Park Race Course It was clear to see from the cars in the carpark that tonight was going to be quite busy. I also have to say it was a pleasant surprise to see that all the public car parking was free, big hats off for this! 

(Paloma Faith_Haydock Park_Credit: Warren Millar)

The weather was overcast, not that cold but with a threat of rain, which I ignored, to my cost later. I had gotten there early to catch a bit of the atmosphere and a couple of the last races on the card tonight. The punters were a mix of young, old, hardened race goers, hen and stag parties and quite a few Paloma Faith fans who were getting their space at the pit barrier even with two hours to go before the end of racing and the show start time and all this in now steady light drizzle which didn’t stop them from protecting their place right at the front. 

The last race ended at about 8.50 and Paloma Faith was due on stage at 9.15 so I made my way to the pit in now steady rain, I do wish I’d have picked my coat up from the car as I was getting pretty wet now!

Now ti was time for all the waiting, for the die hard Paloma fans who had made their way early to the front, to be over. Just as the lady came on stage the rain stopped and we were all in for one hell of a show. 

Her backing singers and band came on stage to a mighty cheer shortly followed by Paloma herself looking every inch the queen of pop in a very smart dark grey skirt and tailored jacket with a few zips spotted about all topped off with a bright red beret, matching her bright red lipstick, complete with an oversized safety pin in the centre. 

Paloma’s energy on stage as she went through her set list singing some of her best known songs like gold, Last Night on Earth, Monster, Picking up the Pieces,Crybaby and Me Time was infectious and despite the weather the Haydock racegoers were well and truly infected as she went through her impeccable set at one stage between songs he told the crowd that she thought ‘Northern’ crowds were always better than the others, this went down a treat with them, not that she had to win them over, they were already lapping her talent up in a bloody big way. 

(Paloma Faith_Haydock Park_Credit: Warren Millar)

Paloma’s voice is spot on all throughout the set, she has a special talent, she’s an engaging performer full of confidence and seemingly a genuinely all round nice person who engages with her audience in a personal friendly way, the way a lifelong friend would chat and talk to you. This makes her very likable no matter what music tastes you have. I also have to mention her band and backing singers, they were amazing and a big part of making this a very memorable show. 

Far too quickly it was all over and a damp but very happy race crowd made their way out of Haydock Park Race Course. 

One thing you can say about these ‘Jockey Club Live‘ night racing and live music events is that you will always be on to a winner even if you don’t manage to pick the right horse and win a few bob, the live music and the artists they select to entertain you afterwards will be your winner and Paloma Faith tonight at Haydock Park was a big winner and the biggest favourite of the day , if you could put a bet on these nights being a winner you would be on a dead cert! 

Review and photography by Warren Millar

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