Brits To Stay At Earls Court?

Although recent newspaper reports are suggesting the Brit Awards might be moving east from Earls Court to the AEG-run O2 Millennium Dome, a March 6 press release from the West London venue said moving the event into its Hall One will make “the U.K.’s largest indoor live music arena the new home for the U.K.’s greatest live music event.”

According to The Times, The O2 Dome – as it’s been renamed since a £6 million sponsorship deal with the mobile phone operator – will provide a bigger setting than Earls Court. Also, British Phonographic Industries would raise more cash for its Brits Trust charity there. So far, the BPI has declined to comment on the speculation.

Earls Court is reporting 2005 as a record year for live music, with the 20,000-capacity venue staging 46 shows.

Top performer there was Kylie Minogue, whose seven straight nights April 30 to May 1 were the most any female solo artist has ever played there.

December was the standout month, with Rod Stewart, three nights of Coldplay, and two each with Foo Fighters and Duran Duran.

“We have been privileged to be hosts to some of the best live acts in the world at Earls Court in 2005, and it proves we have a world-class venue right in the centre of London,” said Earls Court & Olympia Group chief exec Anthony Lyons.

–John Gammon