Westside could be hosting a huge four-night concert this August Bank Holiday weekend, according to a planning application lodged with Birmingham City Council.
Live Nation (Music) UK Ltd has applied for the grant of a licence to hold live music, and to supply and sell alcohol, at Centenary Square from Friday 23 to Monday 26 August.
If granted, the licence applied for would be for an audience of up to 4,999 from 5pm to 10.30pm on each of the nights
Breaking news of the concert plans came today via Birmingham World, and their story can be seen here.
Westside BID has contacted Live Nation for details of what is planned, but at the time of uploading this story we had received no reply.
However, it is understood that the event, called the ‘Centenary Square Summer Series 2024’ in the planning application, will involve various popular bands and singers.
The planning application also requests permission to show plays, films, dance and other entertainment, although it is likely to be live music acts that will draw in large crowds.
Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: “Live Nation, one of the UK’s top organisers of concerts and events, has put in a planning application for a live music and drinks licence for 23 to 26 August in Centenary Square.
“We understand this will effectively be a live summer music concert with some popular groups and singers appearing over a period of four days.
“We do not yet know exactly who might be lined up, and as the local business improvement district we do need to understand what the full programme is so that we can help them with the organisation and security.”
The company’s planning application comes in the wake of the Birmingham Festival 23, an event last year to celebrate a year since the Commonwealth Games. That event was co-hosted by Birmingham City Council.
Mr Olley added: “With the city council having no spare funds at the present time, it is great to see the private sector stepping in to help provide the summer entertainment that the people of Birmingham need and deserve.
“The private sector did this last week in the Southside area, helped massively by Southside BID, to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and in the same way Westside BID is ready and waiting to help Live Nation this August.
“The vision for Birmingham’s Centenary Square was for it to exist as a public space for entertainment like this, and I think it is a tribute to the private sector that they are trying to help attract people to such a major event.
“We wish them all the best with their application and want to welcome them to Westside for what could be a great live concert.”
Live Nation is a multi-national entertainment company founded in 2010 following a merger with Ticketmaster, and it promotes, operates and manages ticket sales for live entertainment internationally.
Live Nation’s application has invited representations from the public by midnight on 4 March 2024 to be made in writing via licensing@birmingham.gov.uk.
Main picture: a scene from Birmingham Festival 23.
ENDS
