If you were at the British Grand Prix this weekend, you might have encountered something that can finally rival the decibel level of two dozen F1 cars battling it out on the circuit. Silverstone has expanded its music offering, aiming to bring a 'feel-good festival atmosphere' to the biggest weekend of racing in Britain.
Jamie Scott, the British songwriter and producer with nine UK number ones, was brought in as Silverstone's Director of Music. The staging is produced by Library Productions, who manage the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. Headliners include Black Eyed Peas, Jax Jones, Tom Grennan, and Calvin Harris, who headlined Thursday's launch party.
The landscape of F1 has changed dramatically in recent years, with less toxic masculinity and elitism. An estimated 40 per cent of fans are now female, thanks in part to the Netflix series Drive to Survive. While some grumble that new fans are 'groupies', the women at the opening event knew their stats and track conditions as well as any die-hard fan.
Ticket prices have increased more than 200 per cent in five years, with a three-day general admission pass costing £350. The music expansion aims to attract a wider and younger fanbase who come for the music as well as the racing. The launch party saw a mixed crowd of older men in team merch, young women in festival mode, and families with children, all staying until Calvin Harris's set at 9.30pm.
