Peter Aiken: Cork needs more live venues

PROMOTER Peter Aiken believes Cork needs more music venues to keep up with the city’s growing population.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Aiken said that with Cork being the fastest growing city in Ireland, more venues are needed to meet the demand.

He was speaking ahead of the Rod Stewart concert in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, May 25, which will be the second major act to play at the stadium since its €90m revamp.

Mr Aiken said: “Everybody loves music, everybody loves live music. Cork is the fastest growing city in Ireland and people don’t choose to go to restaurants or other places to socialise, they go to gigs now and everybody bonds.

“While there are some great venues in Cork, more will be needed.”

All eyes are currently fixed on this year’s line-up for Live At The Marquee, which gets underway on June 8 when Aslan and Damien Dempsey join forces to raise the curtain.

However, the old Ford depot site where the event takes place was purchased last year by property development company Glenveagh Properties PLC, leaving the future of the concert series in doubt.

Mr Aiken said the future of the Marquee depends on what the owners of the land decide to do.

“It depends — we don’t know what they want to do with the land just yet but I’m confident we will still be there next year,” he said.

If they do lose the current site, it’s undecided as to what other location would be suitable.

City Hall officials announced recently that they plan to hold concerts at Tramore Valley Park, which is set to open next week.

When asked if that could be a potential new home for Live At The Marquee, Mr Aiken said it was too early to decide.

“What is great about the current location is that it is central and on hard ground. If Live At The Marquee were to move it would need to be just as good, if not better than where it is now.”

Aiken Promotions hosts some of Ireland’s biggest live events and last year brought Ed Sheeran to Páirc Uí Chaoimh for three nights.

While reminiscing on what was an “exceptional” event, Mr Aiken believes that Rod Stewart’s show on Saturday will be just as special.

“There are not many superstars like Ed that can sell out a stadium like that for three nights. Now Rod Stewart is set to do the same for one night.

“We can never guarantee how many shows these artists will perform, it comes in cycles, but it will be a great night.”

Those with tickets to the Rod Stewart concert at Páirc Uí Chaoimh have been advised that gates open at 6pm and Rod will take to the stage at 8pm sharp.