Singapore GP: Early Bird Tickets Selling Fast

Building upon the recent unveiling of the first wave of circuit park entertainment, race promoter Singapore GP Pte Ltd (SGP) is bringing in alternative rock band Travis. They join Chaka Khan, Ozomatli, Backstreet Boys and Youssou N’Dour alongside large-scale theatre acts and top DJs to further enhance the overall spectator experience at the 2009 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX.

Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Travis consists of Fran Healy (lead vocals), Dougie Payne (bass guitar), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar) and Neil Primrose (drums). The band have been awarded Best British album and Best British Group at the annual BRIT Awards, and have also been credited for paving the way for bands such as Coldplay, Keane and Snow Patrol. Travis will be performing their hits which include “Closer", “Sing", “Why Does It Always Rain on Me" and songs from their latest album, Ode to J. Smith.

Spectators will also be treated to what is being called ‘the must-go party’ for race ticketholders. After a successful party last year at the Padang, Zouk returns this time to the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre to present top deejays Carl Cox, the godfather of UK techno, and progressive tech-house’ stalwart John Digweed.

There will also be additional roving artistes to tease the spectators. Melbourne-based Strange Fruit will take the circuit park entertainment to another level, literally. Perched atop 4-metre high flexible poles, the troupe delivers a sublime performance, bending and swaying in the air, fusing theatre, dance and circus acts.

Cie des Quidams’ Herbert’s Dream will also woo spectators with an enchanting performance which has bewitched audiences from Bangkok to Bruxelles since 1997. The French artistes, draped in white cloth, will perform on stilts to bewitching music and slowly transform to illuminated characters.

All of the artistes will be performing at various stages around the Circuit Park. Travis is slated to perform at Zone 4 at the Padang, while the Backstreet Boys will be playing a short acoustic set on 26 September (Saturday) in Zone 1. The Backstreet Boys will perform a full length set on 27 September (Sunday) at the Padang stage after the race. Chaka Khan is scheduled to perform in Zone 1 at the Paddock Club Lifestyle stage and Zone 1 stage on 27 September (Sunday) only. The full schedule* of performances and artistes will be available on the official website, www.singaporegp.sg (*all subject to change).

Early Bird Tickets Selling Fast

Since the unveiling of the first wave of circuit park entertainment two weeks ago, ticket sales have been proceeding steadily. Early Bird tickets for Turn 2, Bay and Connaught Grandstands are now fully sold, which effectively means that eight categories of Early Bird tickets are no longer available. The remaining 50% of the inventory for each of these categories will now be sold at the regular price. Soon to join the “sold out" category are the Early Bird tickets for the Stamford and Padang grandstands.

Currently, the lowest entry price to the race remains at S$38 (approx GBP15) for the Friday walkabout ticket, while the lowest price for a three-day entry is at S$188 (GBP80) three-day walkabout. Even the lowest priced tickets will enable spectators to see the Backstreet Boys and Youssou N’Dour perform, while those wishing to enjoy Chaka Khan will need to get a seat in Zone 1. Prices start from S$988 (GBP410) for the Turn 3 grandstand.

A full list of ticketing agents and outlets can be found at http://tickets.singaporegp.sg/