Live Nation’s Wireless and Hard Rock Calling to move to Olympic Park
Live Nation and London Legacy Development Corporation have formed a contract which will see the promoter bring a series of concerts and festivals to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this summer.
The deal gives Live Nation exclusive rights to host major music concerts in the North Park and stadium in summer 2013. Wireless Festival and Hard Rock Calling have both been scheduled for July and will take place in North Park (pictured). Live Nation is also planning to host a number of concerts in the stadium during the summer.
John Reid, president of concerts at Live Nation Europe, said: “Live Nation is delighted to have won the inaugural contract for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. In the coming weeks, we will unveil the headline acts for the first Wireless and Hard Rock festivals to be staged in London’s new flagship venue, which promise to be the UK’s blockbuster events of 2013.
“Live Nation is building its international presence and our plans for the London Olympic venue signal our commitment to further European expansion. This unrivalled location will enable us to strengthen our role as the premier provider of great live music in 2013.”
Added Dennis Hone, chief executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation: “This summer Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will once again host some of the greatest shows on earth I’m delighted that leading global companies like Live Nation are interested in the stadium and the park. We’re thrilled to be working with them this summer.
“This deal marks an important stepping stone towards securing a long-term programme of fantastic events that will make Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park a leading destination both for Londoners and those from further afield.”
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will begin to open to the public from July 27, exactly one year after the London 2012 Opening Ceremony. It will open in phases – starting with the North Park – and will be fully open by spring 2014. It will be a new piece of the city with new homes and schools, state of the art venues, beautiful public parklands and a year round programme of events.
The Live Nation announcement demonstrates further commercial interest in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It follows the recent deal with BT Sport to move into the International Broadcast Centre, and a contract with Taylor Wimpey and T&P to build the Park’s first 800 homes. GLL has won the contract to operate the Copper Box and Aquatics Centre when they re-open. The Legacy Corporation will go out to the market for operators for events on the South Park from 2014 and separately for the stadium in the next few weeks.
