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Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics is coming to Lower Castle Park in Colchester on Friday 27th August 2027, with Gilles Peterson, Sonique and Todd Terry joining Tong and The Essential Orchestra for the latest addition to the Colchester Castle Summer Series.
When I started DJing in 1988, Pete Tong and Gilles Peterson were two big musical influences. Through Pete Tong’s FFRR Records and Gilles Peterson’s Acid Jazz label, I discovered records that became part of my early DJ sets. Both had a lasting influence on the music I played.
Pete Tong established FFRR Records as a dance music label within London Records, releasing records that helped bring house music and other emerging club sounds to a wider audience. Alongside his work in the record industry, he became one of Britain’s best-known dance music broadcasters through his shows on BBC Radio 1.
Gilles Peterson co-founded Acid Jazz Records in 1987 and later established Talkin’ Loud. His interest in jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, and dance music showed in the artists he signed, the records he played, and the club nights he promoted.
Todd Terry is another important name. The New York producer was behind some of the biggest early house anthems, including ‘Weekend’, ‘A Day in the Life’ and ‘Can You Party’, the latter released under his Royal House name. His records were hugely popular in British clubs at the time, and he’s gone on to enjoy further success as a producer and remixer ever since..
Sonique completes the line-up, having enjoyed major chart success with ‘It Feels So Good’ and ‘Sky’.
Ibiza Classics began with Pete Yong’s performance at the BBC Proms in 2015, when he joined a 65-piece orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall to perform orchestral versions of tracks associated with Ibiza’s club culture.
The performance led to further concerts and international tours, including appearances at London’s O2 Arena, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Earlier this year, Ibiza Classics celebrated its tenth anniversary with four sold-out performances at the Royal Albert Hall. Guests included Barbara Tucker, David Morales, Paul Oakenfold, Seth Troxler and Becky Hill.
The Colchester date joins two previously announced concerts in the 2027 Colchester Castle Summer Series. Simply Red will perform on Wednesday 18th August, with special guests Heather Small and Soul II Soul, while Ronan Keating and Blue appear on Saturday 21st August.
Presented by Cuffe & Taylor and Supermodified, the series returns to Lower Castle Park for a third year, following previous performances by artists including Becky Hill and Hollywood Vampires.
Tickets for Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics at Colchester Castle Summer Series go on general sale at 10am on Friday 23rd October.
Further details are available at colchestercastlesummerseries.co.uk.
