Birmingham’s arenas enjoy record-breaking year
BIRMINGHAM’S premier concert venues enjoyed a record-breaking 2009 thanks to performances from the likes of singer Pink and comedian Michael McIntyre , new figures have shown.
Together, the National Indoor Arena and LG Arena hosted more than 1.5 million visitors at a total of 252 events.
The performance is even more impressive taking into consideration that the LG Arena was closed for six months while its £29m redevelopment was completed.
Both venues broke their attendance records with American rockers Green Day proving a major draw for the LG Arena, attracting a combined audience of 30,000 in two sold out shows.
At the NIA singer Pink sold out two nights in October, attracting more than 28,000 people to the city centre venue. This record was achieved by selling every seat available, together with a standing capacity of 7,870.
Comedy shows also proved a major draw with Michael McIntyre selling over 54,750 tickets in five shows to make him the biggest selling individual act for 2009. Other comedians pulling in the crowds were Al Murray, Russell Brand, Ricky Gervais, Eddie Izzard and Russell Howard.
Phil Mead, NEC Group managing director of arenas, said: “2009 was an eventful and record breaking year for us. We unveiled the fabulous LG Arena, which has received rave reviews from industry experts and customers, and witnessed the transformation of the arena business with the increase of family shows and comedy, which is now one of our hottest tickets.”
The success of the comedy shows bore out the findings of a new report by the National Arenas Association (NAA). The 2009 Music & Event Research report on the live events industry showed comedy events increased by 45% in performances with attendances rising by 49%.
Nationally, more than one million people attended 165 shows last year. Michael McIntyre, who performed 53 shows during the year, was seen by a combined audience of almost half a million people.
The annual NAA report showed that business across the arena sector was booming, with a record 18% increase in events, totalling 2,333 performances and a combined audience of more than 13 million. This equates to a 30% increase compared with 2008.
The top three events nationally were:
1. Walking with Dinosaurs (523,473)
2. Michael McIntyre (450,167)
3. Pink (428,150)
The report also demonstrates how the UK arena business is diversifying, with live music accounting for 48% of the total number of events.
Family shows, including Cirque de Soleil, Disney on Ice and Walking with Dinosaurs, enjoyed an increase in performances of 32%, accounting for 33% of the total number of events.
Mr Mead, who is also NAA chairman, said: “The annual NAA report show a strong live events arena industry in the UK, reflecting a healthy concert year, phenomenal growth in live comedy at arena level and the steady rise of family entertainment shows.”
