The Magpies are trying to 'deepen the connection' with Newcastle fans ahead of the clash with Aston Villa
The Blaydon Races will be performed live before Newcastle United's game with Aston Villa
The Blaydon Races will be performed live before Newcastle United's game with Aston Villa(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
Newcastle United chiefs believe a new version of the Blaydon Races will have a "powerful" impact on match days ahead of its launch for the Aston Villa game.
Various pre-match rituals at rival clubs during Premier League walk outs have been noted by Toon bosses in the last 12 months. And even as recently as Monday night's game with newly promoted Coventry, the pre-match burst of The Enemy's 2007 hit We'll Live and Die in These Towns certainly had the ground at boiling point as the game kicked off.
But now, North Shields band Hector Gannet will participate in a pre-match performance of the song before Newcastle take on Villa. Fan Advisory Board spokesman Michael McCarthy said the song gives him "goosebumps" after members were afforded a hearng of the song behind the scenes.
Steven Taylor, chief marketing officer at Newcastle United commented: "The crest and The Blaydon Races are two of the most powerful expressions of what Newcastle United means to our fans. They carry our history, our culture and the emotions that connect generations of supporters to this club and this city.
"Following this month’s crest launch, this is another opportunity to celebrate the heritage and traditions that make Newcastle United unique.
"Our ambition is to bring these stories to life in ways that feel authentic, deepen the connection with those who have supported the club for generations, and introduce the spirit and culture of Newcastle United to new audiences at home and around the world."
A Newcastle statement read: "Newcastle United has officially released a new recording of The Blaydon Races, bringing together supporters, local musicians and regional music experts to ensure the iconic anthem continues to unite future generations of fans.
"A cornerstone of the matchday experience at St. James' Park for decades, The Blaydon Races is a symbol of North East identity and a song cherished by fans around the world.
"To preserve the song’s legacy while strengthening its impact inside the stadium, the club has worked closely with supporters to produce a refreshed version that stays true to its heritage.
The artwork for the new version of the Blaydon Races
The artwork for the new version of the Blaydon Races
"Developed in partnership with the North’s leading music development organisation, Generator, and Interval Records, the new recording features vocals from North Shields band Hector Gannet. The track has been produced and engineered by Alex Blamire, featuring the organ of St Nicholas Cathedral and Northumbrian piper Chris Ormston - returning the song to its folk roots. Supporters played a central role in guiding the project. Representatives from the Fan Advisory Board,
"Newcastle United Supporters Trust, United With Pride, Newcastle United Supporters Club, Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Association and Wor Flags took part in workshops and listening sessions.
"Feedback consistently highlighted the anthem’s importance, not only as a matchday tradition but as a symbol of North East culture. Supporter insights also influenced elements of the recording such as tempo, singalong feel and overall sound within St. James' Park - while carefully preserving its heritage which has been passed through generations for over 160 years.
"Reflecting its significance both inside the stadium and across the wider region, the club has released three new versions of the anthem: a Stadium Track, Radio Edit, and an Extended Version featuring all original verses to retain the song's authentic spirit.
"An accompanying music video celebrates both the song and the region. It captures everyday life in the North East; highs and lows, people and places, and a sense of belonging inspired by the anthem.
"The new track will make its matchday debut at St. James' Park ahead of the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on Saturday 17 October, accompanied by a pre-match performance from Hector Gannet."
Natalie Raine, Director of Growth Marketing at Newcastle United, commented: "The Blaydon Races is far more than a song; it is part of the fabric of Newcastle and a shared ritual passed between generations of supporters. From the outset, this has been about protecting that tradition while creating a recording worthy of its place at the club. Supporters have helped shape the process, and we wanted the new version to stay true to the song’s roots, strengthen the matchday experience and give fans something they can continue to make their own for generations to come."
Hector Gannet frontman Aaron Duff added: "Blaydon Races belongs to the region, to every person that has sung it with passion and love for their home, their team, their family. It’s part of our identity; our past, present and future.
"We have a duty to celebrate our heritage, to preserve it, to pay it forward and ensure that those words are sung with pride for generations to come. It’s a song that we all have a connection to, it takes us to a time and a place, unique to our own lives.
"During recording, I put everything into it, I was thinking about my son, my Mam and Dad and all the family and friends at home, and all those we’ve lost along the way too, I can almost hear their voices, like they’re with us when we sing this."
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The release of The Blaydon Races by Newcastle United and Hector Gannet is available across all major streaming platforms and on the club’s official YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@NUFC
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