Jacksons - Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, 18/6/2017

  by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 30 / 6 / 2017

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Nick Dent-Robinson watches the Jacksons play a hit-packed set to celebrate their 50 years in music at the final night of this year’s Nocturne Festival at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire

Almost 10,000 music-lovers danced along to pop and soul stars the Jacksons during the finale of this year's magnificent Nocturne Festival at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. The band, featuring brothers Jermaine, Jackie, Tito and Marlon played a hit-packed set to celebrate their 50 years in music, evoking fond memories of Detroit's legendary Motown label. On one of the year's hottest days the audience went crazy in response to hits like’ Can You Feel It’, ‘ABC’, ‘I Want You Back’, ‘The Love You Save’ and, of course, ‘I'll Be There’. A section of the show was dedicated to their late brother, Michael. Tito commented later, “We always dedicate part of our show to Michael as we feel he is with us whenever we are on stage. We have been performing since we were little kids together right up until today and it still seems hard not to have Michael here.” After a moment's reflection he added, “But it is bittersweet. It is sad Michael is gone but there's still a good feeling about him and the great songs he wrote. Those songs will live many years longer and that is a truly good thing.” At Nocturne this year the Jacksons were supported by Kool and the Gang and there had previously been a night of jazz with Jamie Cullum and Corinne Bailey Rae preceded by two nights of classical music with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra amongst others. A moving moment was Jamie Cullum's soulful rendition of local band Radiohead's ‘High & Dry’ – preparation for Glastonbury Festival where Cullum shares the bill on the Pyramid Stage with Thom Yorke and the rest of Radiohead. Glastonbury is great - but it will never quite have the same style that Blenheim Palace's Nocturne event manages so effortlessly.

Also at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

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