Party In The Park // Live & Backstage Report

A 70,000 strong crowd, chart topping pop acts, soaring temperatures and a stage invasion courtesy of Dermot O’Leary; the biggest free event in Yorkshire was under way this Sunday. Party in the Park, with 96.3 Radio Aire and Leeds City Council pulled it off once again this year with a star-studded line up of both home-grown and international talent. 

Est.1987 were on-hand to bring you all the action from the site, catching up with some of the acts backstage including One Direction, Cover Drive and DJ Fresh.

One Direction's Harry Styles on stage at Party In The Park

Lucky ticket holders were treated to an afternoon of music in the historic Temple Newsam grounds and what’s more there wasn’t a cloud in the sky as the sun blazed down through the entire event. The afternoon was an X Factor extravaganza and included Marcus Collins, Alexandra Burke and Little Mix who performed their new single “Wings”. However the show was undoubtedly stolen by 5 young guys that you may have heard of named “One Direction”.

Yorkshire Boy- One Direction's Zayn 

Hysterical screams erupted from the entire crowd as the X-factor stars took to the stage, singing hits from their debut album including “One Thing” and number one single “What Makes You Beautiful”. Even fellow Party In The Park performer “Alyssa Reid”, who admitted that “Leeds is stunning”, said she “was looking forward to seeing One Direction perform”. Yorkshire born Zayn and Louis provoked the infamous “Yorkshire” chant mid-way through their set with Louis later admitting that “It is so nice to be back in Yorkshire”. Back on home soil the boys stormed the show which included an impromptu onstage invasion from X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary. The presenter took to the stage not once but twice during One Direction’s performance and was happily mobbed by the five-piece before disappearing off as quickly as he appeared.

Cover Drive's Amanda

Dazzling performances also came in the form of Barbados quartet “Cover Drive” who wowed the crowd with an upbeat performance of “Twilight”. The four-piece, who cite No Doubt as their main influence, chatted to Est.1987 backstage about the band [fronted by Gwen Stefani] re-forming. 

The band couldn’t be more excited about No Doubt’s reunion and all admitted that they love No Doubt’s new song “Settle Down”. Lead vocalist Amanda Reifer told us “We worked with Tony Kanal [producer and No Doubt’s bassist] on our album and were starstuck; he’s amazing”.

DJ Fresh got the 70,000 crowd suitably in the festival mood playing huge hits such as “Louder” and “Hot Right Now”. Talking backstage to Est.1987 Daniel Stein, aka DJ Fresh, spoke about his new album telling us to “expect the unexpected” from it! Having already worked with the likes of Rita Ora and Dizzee Rascal he told us who is next on his hit list for collaborations: “Professor Green; (that collaboration is already done), Rizzle Kicks and Juliette Lewis from The Licks.” “It’s going to be exciting” he laughed, and said all the collaborations will be available on the forthcoming album.

Professor Green wowed the 70,000 strong crowd at Temple Newsam

Labrinth’s “Earhquake” sent huge rumblings through the crowd as the entire audience sang along. And he even had time for an impromptu acoustic serenade session backstage, appropriately dressed in a bright Hawaiian shirt. X Factor judge Tulisa confidently rounded off the concert. The former N-Dubz member, dressed in summer shorts and cropped top, played a number of hits

X Factor judge Tulisa headlined Party In The Park 2012

 which included her anthem “Young”. Other stars performing included Professor Green, Conor Maynard, Stooshe, Taio Cruz and Wretch 32. It is safe to say that the event was a roaring success and, as it brought the good weather with it, summer has finally begun. 

To see even more action from the day click below...

Live photo credit: Aurora Photography More from Aurora Photography HERE