Essex boy Olly Murs has revealed a brand new work of art ahead of his biggest ever home-county show as part of Chelmsford City Live this summer.
The chart-topping pop sensation took time out from rehearsals for his 15 Years Of Hits tour to visit Chelmsford City Racecourse, to see the specially commissioned 10-metre mural created by pop artist Nathan Wyburn.
On first sight, Olly described the piece as ‘an honour’ and an ‘incredible’ work.
One of Britain’s biggest and best-loved stars, Olly – who grew up in nearby Witham – will be playing his biggest ever home-county headline show when he heads to the Great Leighs venue on Sunday, July 6.
Also headlining at Chelmsford City Live will be Justin Timberlake on Friday July 4 – for what will mark the biggest ever single headline show in Essex, with an audience of up to 25,000 people, and Duran Duran on Saturday July 5.
Tickets are on sale now via ticketmaster.co.uk
Seeing the artwork for the first time, Olly said: “Look at that – so cool. What a wall that is. Incredible!
“Next to the main man JT – love it. And Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers, Jess Glynne… Me and Nile worked together on one of my albums. Jess is amazing.
“JT was my first concert when I was 19 and it inspired me that one day, maybe this would be a pretty cool job. And here I am!
“It’s amazing, a pleasure and genuinely an honour. Nathan; thank you sir!”
Joining Troublemaker and Marry Me star Olly for his homecoming show will be very special guests Blue and Lemar, with fellow Essex boy and close friend Mark Wright opening the night with a DJ set.
Also performing on Friday night’s show by Justin Timberlake, will be singe- songwriter special guest Jess Glynne, with support from Dagny and CTRL. Duran Duran on Saturday night will be joined by special guest Nile Rodgers & CHIC.
Olly rose to fame on ITV’s The X Factor in 2009 and has since enjoyed a hit-filled career with no less than four Number One singles, seven studio albums and six BRIT Award nominations.
Last year saw him attract a whole new army of fans after a successful stint as special guest on Take That’s This Life tour.
With his infectious energy, Olly presents a catalogue of fan-favourites including such hits as Troublemaker, Heart Skips A Beat, Dance With Me Tonight, Dear Darlin’, and Wrapped Up promising an unforgettable night as he returns to home territory in Essex.
Special guests Blue will join Olly for the Chelmsford show in their 25th anniversary year. One of Britain’s biggest ever pop acts – formed by Anthony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe, Blue have sold 15million records worldwide, with three number one albums and 10 top 10 singles in the UK, including hits All Rise, One Love and If You Come Back.
Also on the bill is triple MOBO Award and double BRIT Award winner Lemar, one of the most successful male British solo artists of the last two decades – releasing 10 top 20 singles, selling more than two million albums and working with the likes of Lionel Richie, Justin Timberlake, Mary J Blige, Beyonce and Mariah Carey.
Former The Only Way is Essex star turned DJ Mark Wright – who will open the show with a hit-packed set. Since rising to fame as one of the original cast members of TOWIE, Mark has become one of the UK’s most popular broadcasters, with a weekly show on Heart FM, appearances on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, and Strictly Come Dancing, and presenting duties on Surprise Surprise, Dengineers and a new series of Clean It, Fix It coming to BBC in 2025.
The shows are presented in a new partnership between the racecourse and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.
Racecourse chief executive officer Nathan Holmes said: “We are delighted to be hosting Olly Murs as part of Chelmsford City Live – and his reaction to the amazing mural Nathan has created showed just how much this show and all his home-county support means to Olly as he celebrates 15 Years Of Hits.”
