Alesha Dixon performs at Hamilton Park Racecourse

Sep 2 2010 by Carla Callaghan, Hamilton Advertiser

OVER 4000 people turned out to see pop princess Alesha Dixon perform at Hamilton Park Racecourse on Friday night.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge was performing at the racecourse’s Forces and Services night and wowed the crowd with an energetic set.

She sang hits such as ‘Breathe Slow’, and ‘Knockdown’ and the crowd were also treated to Mis-Teeq song ‘Scandalous’.

The stunning singer then invited some male fans onto the stage who danced with her to ‘The Boy Does Nothing’.

Before closing her set, Alesha thanked the crowd and declared: “Hamilton, I am feeling the vibes”.

The 31-year-old, who shot to fame in girl group Mis-Teeq, will release her new album ‘The Entertainer’ in November.

Speaking to The Advertiser ahead of her gig, she said: “I have been in Scotland so much recently, it is turning into a second home.

“I was up here for a charity car boot sale and the crowd was just so responsive and it was brilliant.

“Every time I come here, everyone is so lovely, Scottish people are so passionate.

“I am quite nervous tonight for some reason, when there’s loads and loads of artists, it is not as nerve-racking. I always think ‘oh god I hope they have a good time’.”

Her new single, ‘Drummer Boy’ is an edgy change to Alesha’s former material.

She said: “The intention is to always try something fresh, something that I am passionate about and something that is interesting.

“I guess with each record, you want to show different sides of your character and your personality - ‘Drummer Boy’ is a very fiery song and it is really about empowerment - it is a lot of fun to play that role.

“For me, when it came to the styling, it was all about clothes that were tough, clothes that were strong and the stylist did an incredible job.

“I have a creative input in everything that I do and I always have done, even from the beginning.”

Speaking about her time in girl band Mis-Teeq, Alesha said: “The first time Mis-Teeq performed at the Brits was a highlight, that’s the one show that every artist wants to perform at.

“Mis-Teeq were really lucky, because we got to do all types of shows all round the world.

“On my own, my biggest highlight was having my first top ten as a solo artist. You come out of a band and nobody knows what your fate is going to be.

“I was in Mis-Teeq for eight years and it is scary on your own, you have to find your feet, find your sound.

“I am there now, and I feel comfortable but I will never forgot my first interview that I did without the girls – it was very dull!

“It would be amazing to work with Take That, but one of my dreams is to support them.

“They put on an incredible show on their last tour, so I am going to see if I can put a word in.”

Confirming her return as a judge on BBC’S Strictly Come Dancing, the singer said: “I turn up once a week, I get to sit, I get to watch and I get to talk – which I am good at.

“As a contestant, it was ten hours a day for four months a day, it was an amazing experience but was hard, hard work.”

With an album on the way and another season on Strictly, the star is far from quiet.

She added: “ I like to keep busy, if I am home for too long, I get worried.”

The singer’s performance at Hamilton Park Racecourse was a big hit with those who turned up for Friday’s event.

The Forces and Services Night, one of Hamilton Park’s Super Seven fixtures, was set up to allow the community to pay tribute to local military and emergency services personnel.

Vivien Kyles, chief executive of Hamilton Park Racecourse, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in Forces and Services Night and helped make it such a great evening.

“The Golden Lions Parachute Team set the tone for the night with a fantastic display before the racing got underway on our final Super Seven fixture of the season.

“Alesha was brilliant from the moment she arrived. She took time to greet everyone and pose for photographs before taking to the stage to perform her live set.

“One of the highlights has to be when she invited male volunteers from the crowd to join her on stage for the ‘best worst dancer’ competition.

“Everyone really adopted the fun spirit of the night and the fans all had a smile on their face as Alesha rounded off her set with her new single, Drummer Boy.”