Headingley’s Carnegie stadium is going to play host to a number of big weekend concerts over the next two years after councillors gave their approval at a meeting today.
An application from Yorkshire County Cricket Club to stage up to three concerts of “Radio 2″ type acts this year and next (six in all) was approved by the narrowest of margins (6 in favour, 5 against) at a meeting of one of Leeds City Council’s planning panels today.
The gigs will be subject to a number of conditions, including:
that they’re only held on a Friday, Saturday or a Bank Holiday Sunday
that each show starts at seven in the evening and finishes at ten (with the stadium cleared by 10.30)
that noise levels for the stadium’s nearest neighbours are kept to 75 decibels
that a plan is produced four months in advance of each event (and approved by the council three months ahead) covering arrangements for stuff like transport, parking and crowd management.
Capacity will be limited to 14,999.
The club has already said it has “a major international artist” lined up for June this year.
What kind of acts have they got in mind? Well, think Rod Stewart, Damien Rice or Olly Murs, according to this report. The club has also been in discussions apparently with the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra over a possible open air picnic-style concert.
By hosting the gigs, the club is looking to increase its revenue, as its only real earner – international cricket – is not secure beyond 2019.
