Member Article

Ricoh shortlisted for national music award

There could be Glory Days for the Ricoh Arena in Coventry after music industry experts voted the venue in the final three for an accolade at the Live Music Business Awards.

The Ricoh Arena, which hosted memorable concerts by Bruce Springsteen and Muse in 2013 in the stadium bowl – is shortlisted in the Best Venue Teamwork – Stadium category alongside Wembley and the Emirates Stadium.

The awards recognise excellence and talent among venue operators, promoters, festival organisers and agents as well as artiste managers, tour managers, show producers, brand impact and record label partnerships and are voted for by readers of LIVE UK magazine and the wider music industry.

Liz Cooper, marketing director at the Ricoh Arena, said this was the first time the Ricoh has been a finalist in the Live Music Business Awards which was a tremendous reflection of the hard work and ability of everyone involved in staging the 2013 summer concerts.

“This is brilliant news,” she said. “There were originally nine stadiums in the running including the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, Villa Park, the Millennium Stadium, Hampden Park, Murrayfield and Twickenham but we have now been placed in the final three.

“These are the only awards which promote those involved in driving the country’s contemporary live music industry over the last 12 months and we are really proud to be among the finalists in the Best Venue Teamwork – Stadium category.

“Bruce Springsteen was simply awesome throughout his set at the Ricoh which lasted over three hours and Muse exploded onto the stage and never let the tempo drop during the first night of their biggest ever stadium tour.

“The team at the Ricoh has built-up a great deal of experience working alongside promoters over the last eight years of hosting high-profile concerts in the stadium bowl. We’re really proud of the fact that we have brought artists such as Take That, Coldplay, Oasis, Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen and many others to our fabulous venue and to our city.

“Each time there is a concert we attract nearly 40,000 people from across the UK and abroad. There is little doubt we are developing a reputation as the number one venue in the Midlands for world-class musicians.

“There is a great deal of hard work involved behind-the-scenes not only in attracting bands or single artists in the first place but we then have to work very closely with the promoters, production staff health and safety organisations, marketing agencies, ticketing companies and the City Council to deliver an event that everyone can be proud of.

“The work doesn’t stop after the show either. The load out is also a major operation to ensure all production staff and crew can exit as quickly as possible to get to their next location and all fans have a safe route out of the venue.

“We are fortunate to have dedicated staff including event planners, marketing manager, facilities staff and catering teams amongst others that all pull together to deliver a great and memorable event which is why promoters choose to come back.”

The winners will be announced at the Live Music Business Awards at the Radisson Blu Portman Hotel in London on Thursday, October 17.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ricoh Arena .