Boyzone fans help Telford concert make a profit
More than 8,000 fans flocked to see Boyzone's huge Shropshire concert, new figures have revealed.
And Saturday night's event, which saw the Irish group supported by singer Alesha Dixon and local band The Rooz, looks set to make a profit – although the actual amount has yet to be calculated.
It was the third concert put on by Telford & Wrekin Council, and the first not to make a loss.
The authority is now hoping that a summer concert in the QEII Fields In Trust Town Park Arena will now become an annual fixture.
Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet lead for major events, said: "Saturday was an absolutely fantastic day for Telford and will really put us on the map as a destination that can hold gigs by really top acts.
"The final figures are still to be confirmed, but I am quietly confident that the event will have returned a profit – although it has never been solely about making money.
"It was great to see the Telford public supporting a major gig like this and the bands put a huge smile on the faces of the watching thousands.
"We had a great party atmosphere and no trouble at all."
Telford's first major music and family festival – called T-Live – was held in the summer of 2013.
A concert was put on, headlined by pop band McFly and featuring a number of smaller names, and there was also a Children's Festival.
But the events made a combined loss of £40,000.
Last year T-Live returned with a Friday concert by 80s acts Rick Astley, ABC and Go West, followed by a Saturday concert second featuring bands including Lawson and Union J. The event cost £280,191 to stage and brought in income of £251,443 – incurring a £28,748 loss.
Councillor Davies added: "I would like to thank our crowd for their fantastic support and we will now start to think about next year and what acts might be available.
"I would also like to thank the local business community for their fantastic support in providing more than £50,000 worth of sponsorship for the events."
Fans travelled from across the country for the concert, with some waiting from as early as 3.30am to be at the front of the queue.
