Lionel Richie Kicks Off Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s 2018 Summer Season On Tuesday
Concert promoters Cuffe and Taylor are proud to announce Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s attendance record has been smashed for the third year in a row.
More than 82,000 people have already bought tickets for this summer’s series of gigs at Europe’s largest open-air arena which includes headline shows by such mega stars as Britney Spears, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Il Divo and Gary Barlow.
The record-breaking news comes just days before music legend Lionel Richie kicks-off Scarborough OAT’s biggest and best ever summer season with a sell-out show on Tuesday (June 19).
And, with another 15 stunning gigs to follow, Cuffe and Taylor, who have programmed events at the OAT since 2016, are hopeful more than 100,000 music fans will see a show at Yorkshire coast venue in 2018.
This will bring a multi-million pound boost to the local tourist economy with music fans drawn to Scarborough from across the UK and abroad.
Peter Taylor, director of Cuffe and Taylor, said: “Excitement is really building ahead of our first show on Tuesday with the great Lionel Richie, and we are delighted to have broken the venue’s attendance record for the third successive year.
“To have out-sold last year’s attendance figure of 75,000 before the first show has taken place proves what an incredible line-up Scarborough OAT has this year.
“We knew what a special venue this was when we took over programming events here in 2016 and we are delighted to be bringing such a stunning line-up of world renowned artists to the beautiful Yorkshire coast.
“The shows are not only brilliant for music fans but for the local tourism economy with visitors coming here from across the UK and around the world to see a sensational series of shows.”
Cllr Derek Bastiman, Leader of Scarborough Borough Council said: “I am delighted to hear that ticket sales have already topped last year’s results, which just goes to show that our decision to carry out work to increase the venue’s capacity was the right one to take.
“To be a part of the growing reputation of the OAT in the music industry and among music fans as an excellent venue for live music is hugely rewarding and we can’t wait for the summer’s events to get underway.”
Janet Deacon, Area Director for Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news, Cuffe and Taylor and Live Nation have really taken this venue to the next level and have made it the place to go for amazing live entertainment.
“The acts booked every year have been phenomenal and are having a huge impact on the visitor economy. Many tourism accommodation businesses have reported that as soon as a show is announced their bedrooms are booked and not only that, those visitors are becoming regular repeat visitors to the destination. The Open Air Theatre is definitely showcasing Scarborough to not only a UK but international audience.”
Lionel Richie is followed by The Script (June 21), Gary Barlow (June 22), Nile Rodgers and CHIC (June 24),Steps (June 29), Alfie Boe (June 30), Emeli Sandé (July 5), Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (July 6),Stereophonics (July 19), Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics (July 20), Il Divo (July 21), James Arthur (July 26),Bastille (July 28), Texas (August 11), Britney Spears (August 17) and James (August 18).
Tickets for all shows at Scarborough OAT are available from the Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s Box Office (01723 818111) via www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com and the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau (01723 383636).