Singing From The Same Hymn Sheet

Live Nation appears to have shelved its plans for a two-day festival in Leicester’s Victoria Park and settled for a one-dayer headed by local UK heroes Kasabian.

Photo: Danny North
Snowbombing 2013, Mayrhofen Ski Resort, Mayrhofen, Austria

The Leicester Mercury reported Live Nation’s original license application resulted in the local city council receiving several complaints about possible noise and traffic problems.

One such complaint came from Canon Glynn Richerby, vicar of the nearby Church of St. James the Greater, who has arranged for his building to host some classical concerts for next summer.

Solicitor Phil Crier, acting for Live Nation, told the council’s licensing committee Nov. 25: “We have been working hard looking at whether two days is necessary and are prepared to concede the second day.”

The licensing committee was happy with the compromise and the one-dayer featuring Kasabian was given the go-ahead.

Canon Richerby said concerts attracting hundreds of people rather than thousands are still important.

The Mercury says Live Nation has agreed to book the church on the night of the gig to avoid a clash.

“It will be a great day for the band and the city,” LN European president of concerts John Reid told Pollstar.

The gig is expected to take place June 21.

However, the license allows it to be staged on any day in a two-month period, in case it can’t go ahead on the original date.

The stage will face the university and away from London Road and Victoria Park Road to reduce noise affecting homes.

The two-day festival LN had originally planned would have been an ideal replacement for the city’s Summer Sundae.

Two months ago it was announced Summer Sundae would be “retired” due to “the current financial climate and wealth of other competing musical events across the East Midlands.”

In 2010, about 18,000 people attended the three-day festival, but subsequently the number had fallen to about 10,000. In 2011 Summer Sundae received a £60,000 subsidy from the city council but in 2012 that had risen to £80,000.