MELANIE C SPICES UP PALOOZA AT FLEMINGTON

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) today announced Melanie C, member of global girl band phenomenon the Spice Girls, will bring her musical flair to Flemington when she headlines the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s newest festival-inspired entertainment offering Palooza on TAB Champions Stakes Day with a DJ set.

The east end of the Nursery will be transformed for Palooza and the summer festival season at Flemington with The Wave 55 by Stagekings, a state-of-the-art structure that will create a non-stop, all-weather entertainment destination.

Palooza tickets include food and drinks, general entry into the racecourse in addition to the jam-packed entertainment schedule including Melanie C, with tickets available from $295 here.

After topping the charts in 37 countries and selling millions of records worldwide, “Sporty Spice” will return to Australia for the first time in almost 25 years.

On the back of her highly energetic sets at Glastonbury last year and shows across Ibiza as recent as last month, Melanie C will have fans dancing the day away as she takes over the Palooza main stage with her DJ set on the final day of Cup Week.

Her performance at Palooza will be her only Melbourne show before she embarks on a string of intimate gigs across the country, marking her first-ever solo tour dates in Australia. Melanie C will play dates in other major cities across the country, with more details on the tour soon to be announced.

Melanie C said she was looking forward to visiting Australia and kicking off her tour at Flemington on the final day of Cup Week.

‘It’s so good to be coming back to Australia - the atmosphere there is electric and I could not be happier to return after more than two decades,” she said.

“I’ve always been a big fan of racing and obviously love a music festival so to mix the two and perform at such an iconic Australian event is so exciting. It’s going to be an epic day and I can’t wait!”

VRC Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said the club was delighted to welcome Melanie C to the Palooza stage for TAB Champions Stakes Day.

“Palooza will deliver the ultimate festival experience and we couldn’t think of a better headline act on TAB Champions Stakes Day than Melanie C. She’s an all-star and we look forward to welcoming her to Flemington,” he said.

With the largest free span of any temporary venue in the Southern Hemisphere, The Wave 55 by Stagekings will ensure Palooza patrons are completely protected from the elements.

The temporary venue can accommodate up to 9,000 festivalgoers, and its use at Flemington is an eastern seaboard first.

“We’re delighted to be the first major event in the state to utilise this innovative new infrastructure,” he said.

“There’s been nothing like this used in the state before and it sets the scene for an epic Melbourne Cup Carnival and festival season at Flemington.”

Palooza will be the perfect place to celebrate Cup Week at Flemington with friends, with an incredible line up of talent set to take to the festival stage across the four days of the carnival.

The epic program of performances will commence on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day and showcase the most sought after acts in dance music including performances from Crooked Colours, Felix Da Housecat, Late Nite Tuff Guy and Odd Mob.

Palooza will continue on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, with Ministry of Sound Anthems taking over the stage featuring sets from Tonite Only, Tommy Trash, Groove City, John Course and Karina Charvez.

Kennedy Oaks Day will see the sensational Kah-lo leading the lineup, accompanied by captivating performances from Running Touch DJ Set and Sneaky Sound System.

The entertainment offering in Palooza will reach its crescendo on TAB Champions Stakes Day with Jax Jones and Topic supporting Melanie C on the final day of Cup Week.

Those wanting the ultimate Palooza experience can upgrade into the VIP area.

Limited to 500 tickets per day, the VIP experience includes everything a general Palooza ticket offers plus a VIP entry lane, VIP viewing deck to catch all the action on stage, dedicated undercover VIP area, access to a VIP private Pimm's Garden and a private bar, betting facilities and amenities from just $445.

The 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival will commence with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 4 November, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on the first Tuesday of November on 7 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 9 November and VRC Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 11 November.

Melbourne Cup Carnival tickets can be purchased via www.vrc.com.au.

All the action from the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival can be seen free to air on Network 10.

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