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Uncle Frank to party at Tigers in the Park

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Uncle Frank will create a party atmosphere at the opening home game of the season when they headline Tigers in the Park.

Fresh from storming this year’s Summer Sundae festival, Leicester-based Uncle Frank will help Tigers kick-off the home campaign against Worcester Warriors this Saturday when they bring their unique sound and style to Nelson Mandela Park.

“We have been all over the world and back several times but when we play Leicester we like it to be a special occasion, a real party atmosphere,” says Naim Cortazzi, who describes their sound as Barry White meets Jack Black and Burt Bacharach.

“With the Tigers having the reputation they do, it doesn’t come any bigger than to be playing at the opening home game of the season. It’s brilliant for us and we are really excited.”

Cortazzi, a former guitarist with the Happy Mondays, fronts the band with Fun Lovin’ Criminals drummer Frank Benbini. They have worked with the likes of Beverley Knight, Plan B and their life-long hero Prince, while up-coming projects are set to see them team up with Madness and Boy George, among others.

Their debut album The Ideal Food for Love was released in 2005, and Uncle Frank are set to release the follow up Smiles For Miles later this year.

“It’s been a great year,” says Cortazzi. “We were on the main stage at Summer Sundae, just before the headliners. For a Leicester band it was amazing.

“We are really proud to be from Leicester. We support the local teams and are really excited about playing on Saturday.”

The Chizzitts open the live music show in front of their hometown fans at Nelson Mandela Park, opposite Welford Road stadium. The trio were selected from the Tigers' battle of the bands challenge on the club's official Facebook page.

They will be followed by The Method, led by singer/songwriter Ash Adams, and their amplified acoustic set.

The arena will host local dance sensation Tom Shilcock, of So You Think You Can Dance, and his dancers from Dupont Stage School Leicester. Tom will treat the crowd to his Michael Jackson tribute before the entire crew open matchday entertainment on the pitch ahead of kick-off against Worcester Warriors.

By The Rivers, among the cream of the Leicester music scene, bring a feel of British summertime to the party at 1pm with their reggae party music. The band have enjoyed a big year with an EP package reaching No.2 in the iTunes Reggae Album Charts behind only Bob Marley, and a slot on the BBC Introducing Stage at T In The Park.

Then it is the turn of headliners Uncle Frank, who will be on stage for 40 minutes.

You can check out all of the Tigers in the Park bands by following these links:
The Chizzits Facebook page or web page
The Method Facebook page
By The Rivers Facebook page or web page
Uncle Frank Facebook page

As well as the live music, Tigers In The Park has attractions and activities from 11am right up to kick-off against Worcester Warriors at 3pm.

Welford and some of the Tigers players will be joining the fun, and visitors will have a chance to test their skills in the Extreme Pass Challenge and win a family pass to the big match, as well as the chance to see how it is done with a skills session presented by Tigers Academy.

Tigers in the Park is free to enter, and other attractions include the Tigers Tented Shopping Village, Junior Tigers Club Sport Park and Fans' Food Court.

Let us know if you are coming to Tigers in the Park by joining our Facebook events page and inviting your friends.

Tickets for Tigers against Warriors match are available now from the Tigers ticket office. Call in at Welford Road, phone 0844 856 1880 (option 2) or book online