Look Who's playing at Murrayfield in summer

MURRAYFIELD Stadium is to stage up to five major concerts this summer as it attempts to establish itself as a serious rival to Glasgow's SECC.
Rock legends The Who and Aerosmith are among the acts being lined up for full-scale stadium concerts for crowds of up to 55,000.
But the venue's capacity will be cut to below 20,000 for some of the concerts in a bid to compete directly with the SECC.

Welsh classical singer Katherine Jenkins is being lined up for one such concert.
Talks are also believed to be ongoing with Snow Patrol, one of the best-selling acts in the UK last year, with the Zutons and Kaiser Chiefs possibly also in the frame.
A stage will be built across the running track in front of the West Stand, which will house the crowd, for the smaller concerts.

The restricted capacity will allow Murrayfield to go head-to-head with the SECC in a bid to attract some of the biggest acts touring the UK.
Edinburgh has often lost out to Glasgow in the past due to the lack of a venue with a capacity of 10,000 to 20,000.
The concerts are being planned for between May and August.

Organisers are also looking to host other events at the stadium, which can hold 67,500 for rugby internationals, with one possibility being a boxing match being staged on the pitch.
The gigs are being planned by Murrayfield Sports and Leisure, a sister company of Edinburgh Rugby, which has been given exclusive rights to stage events and concerts at Murrayfield over the next five years by the Scottish Rugby Union.
The firm's managing director, Dean Lewis, said the full summer line-up would be announced next month but admitted it is in talks with a number of major UK and international artists.

He said: "There is a dearth of suitable venues in Edinburgh for live music and the city is losing out to places like Glasgow - this is something we aim to change.
"Changing the configuration of the stadium for gigs opens up new opportunities and I think it gives Edinburgh the chance to attract the types of bands and gigs that are going to venues such as the SECC right now.
"The West Stand configuration will of course only work for some types of concerts so we will use the rest of the stadium for bigger concerts.

The bands we are talking to are household names and we are working on the basis of putting on something for everyone during the summer months.
"The other thing we want to ensure is that the organisation of the actual events is first class. We want to create a better relationship with the community around Murrayfield as we know there has been problems in the past with concerts such as the Oasis one.

"Looking further down the line, we would be looking at trying to fit in with the Edinburgh Festivals when we know there is a demand for live music."
Mr Lewis, a former policeman who has played a role in planning for events as diverse as G8 and Birmingham's New Year celebrations, said another event being planned was "Edinburgh Rocks Day".
This would see up and coming Scottish bands line up alongside more well-known Scots acts such as The Proclaimers.

Nick Sutherland, of Ripping Records at South Bridge, which is one of the city's biggest concert ticket outlets, said: "From our experience I think the key thing would be to make going to Murrayfield more of an occasion than people just going there for the concert.
"With the bigger events we see people buying tickets but not necessarily because they are a big fan of the music but rather because a friend at work is going or they just want a night out. The smaller capacity would work for some gigs.

I remember seeing Frank Sinatra at Ibrox in the 1990s where they only used one stand and it worked well then, but for the likes of Razorlight or Radiohead then the fans want to be standing."
Graham Bell, spokesman for the city's Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is an excellent idea if they can make it work.
"It has been well documented that Edinburgh needs a concert venue that can compete with the likes of SECC but Murrayfield also needs to play to its strengths and look at the full stadium gigs.

"
Milton Park, chairman of Murrayfield Community Council, said he hoped concert organisers will learn from the problems with other concerts held at the stadium.
He said: "In the past it really has been intolerable with people trampling over gardens and generally making life unbearable for residents.
"The only concert where we didn't have any problem was G8 and if they could all be like that then there wouldn't be any issues.

"I do hope they take their commitment to the local community seriously or I would imagine we will be beating the war drums again if they don't."
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And about time too! These unnecessary M8 slogs
have to stop.

..
I hope PC Prince Durant hasn't booked his holidays, could be a busy boy.

Yes definitely about time Edinburgh should host gigs in a decent sized venue. Driving through to Glasgow SECC puts me off and I'm sure I'm not alone. After all, Edinburgh is the capital.

..
Nice one Murrayfield, but what'll happen when the mighty Heart of Midlothian take the place up as their temporary home?

I think that Murrayfield should encourage Bruce Springsteen to come over, there are rumours that this year is the last year Mr Springsteen will tour with the E Street Band and he hasn't played in Scotland since 1981, Mr Springsteen would be guaranteed a sell out crowd and full Scottish hospitality and he would make Murrayfield ROCK
Who? Any relation to Kaiser up at Hunter Square?
#3 Yes definitely about time Edinburgh should host gigs in a decent sized venue.

An exhibition hall has been talked about for years but no progress seems to be made. A pity as Edinburgh has the only theatres in Scotland that are fully capable of putting on Les Miserables and Phantom.
Our city is awash with buildings gifted by benefactors (Usher Hall, McEwan Hall etc).

Just a pity that our modern multi-millionaires could not gift the 'Jakey Rowling Auditorium' or 'Farmer Hall' to the city.
Outdoor gigs are good; Stadium gigs are not.
Have been to many at Murrayfield, and every time I wonder why I bother.

The acoustics are shockingly bad (especially when there's nobody in the stands to soak it up, as some of the upcoming gigs are planning) - The echo making it sound like you're listening from inside a barrel. Weirdly, however, the atmosphere is non-existent. On top of that, you're almost guaranteed a rubbish view from the pitch unless you're right at the front or 7 feet tall; and it's pot luck if you get a view at all from the stands.

I can see how it would benefit the Edinburgh economy, etc, but I'd always rather head through to Glasgow if it meant I could justify a £40-50 concert ticket.
Glasgow has much better venues than the secc .
Glasgow Acad.

Barrowlands and Armadillo to name a few,No where will ever beat The barrowlands venue ,Stadium gigs are a very 80s thing .Big venues lack something ,

my name is not available, it's Paul by the way / 1:26pm 25 Jan 2007

Much as I hate travelling through to the SECC, I'd rather pay for an indoor gig with crap sound, than an outdoor gig with crap sound. At least the atmosphere in Glasgow is half way decent.

#6 Rod, the Zutons are one of the best live acts around at the moment.

This comment has been removed by a moderator.

Is it not in their licence agreement that they are only allowed 2 non sporting event to be held there per year.

So its a cert that if they apply for an extension to it the Council tell them were to go and blame it on residents opposition.
Look what happened last year with the possible gigs at the castle etc.
I hope Lena Zaveroni plays.

Plays what? The banjo?
Mama shes makin eyes at me ,Thats it im off tto Rothesay for a big zavaronis fish tea.

Hope not, she died in 1999!!!

!
Yes, Murrayfield will have a decent use at last, even watching the Proclaimers will be a lot better than watching that terrible game called rugby union.
mmmmm.

...

...

20,000 crowd at a stadium in edinburgh...

..reminds me of somewhere but i cant quite put my finger on it.

...

...

...

im sure it'll come to me when i drive along MEADOWBANK TERRACE later...

...

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smarty pants,Youve just gone and burst ma bubble .

:)
I am sure there will be many complaints from the nearby residents...

wait and see.
I think it is a good idea to use the stadium for events outwith rugby.
how can murrayfield go head to head with the secc?

??.

...

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the secc is indoors for starters.
20,000 folks paying to see Katherine Jenkins outdoors?
Now that IS ambitious.

no if she wears the top in the picture it won't...

...

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Why is it that when I look at that photo of Katherine Jenkins I'm not thinking about classical singing?

Murrayfield's an AWFUL venue. Mind you, stadiums always are.
Come to that, the SECC is terrible as well.

The Barrowlands is far and away the best place to see bands, although I quite like that new ABC venue too.
They should build something through here like that new venue they're building beside the SECC..

not sure what it's called.
Hmm - google to the rescue:
It says it's 12,500 seater..

we should build something like that.
I'd pay a tenor to get in.
I remember being at a gig at the barrowlands.

Metal detectors at the door, filthy walls and broken doors. Very drunk and drugged-up punters, poor sound and toilets that only Irvine Welch could dream up.
I paid a fortune for those Tony Christie tickets too.

..
Why have I never even heard of this (probably welsh) tart ?

Not sure that competing with the SECC is the most important thing for Edinburgh's non-existant music scene. How about not closing venues like Cas Rock, The Venue, Backpackers etc because some fanny who's bought a new build house nearby can't stand the noise!!

Glasgow has a venue for every size of band, the SECC being the biggest indoor venue, but also possibly the worst sound of any venue in Scotland.
Glasgow, you can keep yer Kaiser Chiefs The Zutons, but bring on the 'Smith!!

!!
I agree, mogadon - I used to love the Cas Rock.

. although I don't think it was closed, was it? It changed hands I think?

I also liked The Tap, Cafe Graffiti, Wilkie House, the old Honeycomb (on Blair Street), The Venue, etc.
And let's not forget that the Council closed down the brilliant old Bongo Club, and it had to move to the crappy Moray House, just so we could get more damn flats on the site!
It makes me rage.

my name is not available, it's Paul by the way / 3:32pm 25 Jan 2007

#29, what on earth are you talking about? The Edinburgh music scene is doing just fine. I went to 18 gigs last year, all of them in Edinburgh - we have some good intimate venues.

Check out the Queens Hall, Cabaret Voltaire, Liquid Room and the Corn Exchange there are always plenty of good bands playing there.
Bet the good folk of Roseburn and Murrayfield will be fair chuffed with this news.
#32.

well, I certainly am! But they'll have to put a roof on it too. I like my warmth!

!!
#10 Rod, the Zutons are one of the best live acts around at the moment.

Good grief! Are you telling me that Bucks Fizz are no longer the current Britpop sensation?
28 Why have I never even heard of this (probably welsh) tart ?

I have always regarded it as a national tragedy that the Welsh have formed the fanciful notion that they are a nation with sweet voices.
I once listened briefly to a Welsh male voice choir in Denbigh (which is very much in sheepshearing territory).
The appalling caterwauling drove us back to the Tranny van in very quick order.

#31 - Fair point, I probably went to around 20 gigs in Edinburgh last year too, but I also HAD to go to Glasgow for almost twice that many. Also IMHO The Corn Exchange is a terrible annodine dump, that seems to attract the cruddest bands.
Edinburgh may have Cabaret Voltaire, Queens Hall Liquid Room but Glasgow has G2, Garage, Oran Mohr, Barfly, 13th Note, Stereo, Mono, ABC, ABC2, Barrowlands, SECC, Academy etc and also an actual scene (i.

e local band scene as well)
Bands don't even play the Playhouse these days (not that I'm advocating it!!!