Near sell-out Marquee gigs expected to generate €10m

MORE than 80,000 tickets have been sold for Cork’s Live at the Marquee concert series which kick off tonight.

The event, which will be staged in a 5,000-seat venue in Cork’s Docklands, is set to inject up to €10 million in to the local economy.

Concert promoter Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions said the strong ticket sales for what is the fourth year of the gigs, is an indication that reports of a crisis in the Irish concert business following several high-profile Dublin concert cancellations are rubbish.

“We have 15 acts playing here in the Marquee over 18 days and they’ve virtually all sold out — Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Dolly Parton, Paul Simon, Shayne Ward, Jay Z, Meatloaf and Pink have all sold out,” he said.

“Morrissey, who’s supported by the New York Dolls, has almost sold out and we’ve sold 4,800 for Paul Weller, so there are only 200 tickets left and we expect those to go quickly because Paul Weller never plays venues this big.”

Tommy Tiernan, the first act to perform three gigs during the one Marquee series, has completely sold out — he will perform before 15,000 people.

And Christy Moore, who’s playing the Marquee for the fourth year running, has sold out faster this year than in any other year.

Mr Aiken said about 40% of this year’s ticket sales are from outside Cork, with a considerable number of fans coming from abroad.

Shayne Ward kicks of the 2008 Live at the Marquee gigs tonight.

Dolly Parton plays the Marquee on Saturday night, and next week sees Lou Reed, Jay Z, Morrissey, Christy Moore and Meatloaf appearing at the venue.

Neil Young plays on June 30, Massive Attack on July 1 and Paul Simon July 3.