Rockin’ by the Lee for the next 5 weeks

MUSIC promoter Peter Aiken has defied the recession and is set to rock the banks of the Lee for the next five weeks.

Mr Aiken confirmed last night that he has sold almost 68,000 of the 76,000 tickets for acts performing at this year’s Live at the Marquee festival, which kicks off in Cork’s docklands tonight with The Frames.

Mr Aiken said he was surprised at the strong ticket sales, but put it down to the unique pulling power of the Marquee venue and the atmosphere it helps create.

“There’s nowhere I’d rather be on opening night than at the front gates watching people come in and enjoying themselves,” he said.

“We’ll definitely be back next year. I’d love to be here to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Live at the Marquee.”

The festival, which began in 2005 as part of the city’s Capital of Culture, has staged over 120 gigs over the years.

Among the highlights were Lady Gaga, Elton John, Roger Waters and Bob Dylan, who Mr Aiken said all count their Marquee gigs as among their most memorable.

“We are competing against the rest of Europe to attract big acts but they want to come back to Cork and the Marquee — and I am confident I can deliver a brilliant audience every time,” he said.

He was in Cork yesterday as technicians ran their final checks on a new stage, designed specially for the marquee and built in Malta. The Frames open the festival at 9pm tonight, with special guests, Favourite Sons on stage at 8pm.

Eighties stars Erasure perform next Wednesday, Bob Dylan takes to the stage on Thursday, followed by rock-a-billy star Imelda May and guest Mundy on Friday.

Then the legendary Tom Jones will strut his stuff next Sunday night in what promises to be one of the festival highlights.

Other headline acts include Paul Simon, Bryan Adams, Christy Moore, Alexandra Burke, Elton John, Bell X1, Fleet Foxes, Jedward and Westlife.

But there are still a few top-class acts Mr Aiken would love to see on the Marquee stage including the Boomtown Rats, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, or a Rory Gallagher tribute show.

- The Live at the Marquee box office opens at 10am daily. Bookings tel: [phone].