Latest news with #Blackweir
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Stevie Wonder addresses rumors of him not being blind at concert
"The truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind," Wonder told an audience in Cardiff, Wales. Multi-Grammy award-winning artist Stevie Wonder responded to the long-standing, baseless rumor about his eyesight. The "Isn't She Lovely" singer addressed the ongoing gossip about his ability to see during a July 9 appearance at Blackweir, a music concert series in Cardiff, Wales. "You know the truth. The truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind," Wonder told the audience. "Now, that was a blessing because it allowed me to see the world in the vision of truth, of sight." He continued, "See people in the spirit of them, not how they look, not what color they are, but what color is their spirit." According to a Welsh news outlet, the music legend performed his hits "Living For the City" and "I Just Called to Say I Love You." Watch Stevie Wonder's response below 'I love me,' Wonder says Speculation about Stevie Wonder's eyesight has been the center of jokes and conspiracy theories in pop culture for decades. For instance, the popular podcast "Drink Champs," hosted by rapper N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, shared a compilation of celebrities sharing their "Steve Wonder Can See Stories." "On everything I love, Stevie Wonder does FaceTime me," Snopp Dogg joked, explaining how the singer once called him while he was getting his hair done. The "Gin and Juice" rapper claimed when he answered, Wonder said, "I've been looking for you." Wonder has previously joined in on the jokes too, but has made it clear throughout his career that being blind has not been a setback in his life. "I never thought of being blind as a disadvantage, and I never thought of being Black as a disadvantage," Wonder said in a 2012 profile in The Guardian. "I am what I am. I love me! And I don't mean that egotistically – I love that God has allowed me to take whatever it was that I had and to make something out of it." Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Business News Wales
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Organisers Celebrate Strong Debut for Cardiff's Blackweir Concert Series
Organisers are hailing Cardiff's brand-new music series Blackweir a success after more than 100,000 people enjoyed four headlining concerts. Over the past two weeks, the city's largest greenfield venue has welcomed global artists Stevie Wonder, Alanis Morissette, Noah Kahan and Slayer. Cardiff-based DEPOT Live – the live-events arm of Cardiff music venue, DEPOT – and UK promoters Cuffe and Taylor say they are 'delighted' with Blackweir. They said they hoped that this is the start of a regular concert series which could bring world-renowned artists and musicians to Blackweir Fields alongside the River Taff next year. Nick Saunders, founder of DEPOT Live, said: 'To have had such huge artists grace the stage for Blackweir has been incredible. From the artists to the music fans, the feedback for Blackweir has been overwhelmingly positive. A first year site is always nerve-wracking but it's safe to say Blackweir 2025 has been a huge success, and we are excited to work on future plans in consultation with residents and the council.' More than 3,000 people have been employed across the Blackweir site for the duration of the concerts, with the vast majority of those people being local to Cardiff. In addition, more than 100,000 people attended the four shows with more than 40% of them travelling from outside Cardiff and Wales. Nick added: 'To be able to have so many local Cardiff businesses and people employed across such a series of major events is very important to us. Not only does it mean we are creating jobs and supporting industry locally, but in turn that money is then reinvested into the local economy by the people who live here.' Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor added: 'When we first started talking about Blackweir we knew it was a very exciting prospect to create a large-scale event space capable of attracting the biggest names in the world of music. 'It takes a small city of people to bring such large events together and we have been able to create several thousand jobs during this period as well as employ people who will work continuously on the events. 'Additionally, the concerts have attracted around 40,000 people to travel to Cardiff. The positive impact that has on the local economy, whether they are day trippers or overnight guests, is a massive benefit and it is really pleasing to see so many people wanting to enjoy all that Cardiff has to offer. 'The artists we have brought to this beautiful site this year are without doubt global legends. We now look forward to discussing the way forward so we can attract even more huge names from the world of music to Cardiff. In the meantime, we will also be focusing on what improvements we can make moving forward as we continue to listen to feedback from our customers, stakeholders and artists.' Councillor Jen Burke, Cardiff Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Parks, said: 'Blackweir 2025 brought some truly iconic artists to Cardiff and created unforgettable experiences for thousands of music lovers. Events like this can be a fantastic opportunity to showcase what we're about, and this summer we are truly living up to our billing as a Music City.' Carolyn Brownell, CEO of FOR Cardiff, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Cardiff city centre, said: 'Events like Blackweir are invaluable for Cardiff city centre. They not only attract global talent and thousands of visitors they also deliver a meaningful boost to the local economy – filling hotels, restaurants, shops and bars during the summer period – a time which is historically quieter for city centre businesses. It's been fantastic to see this new series establish itself, and we're excited to support its continued growth in the years ahead.' Karen Matthews, general manager of the Radisson Blu Cardiff and member of Cardiff and District Hoteliers Association, added: 'The recent concerts at Blackweir and the Castle have been a tremendous boost to our local hospitality industry, bringing in visitors from near and far, helping occupancy within our hotels and energising the whole community. 'Events like these not only contribute to the local economy but proudly showcase our city as a vibrant destination. We wholeheartedly support more of these experiences and welcome more in the future.'
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Organisers of controversial Blackweir Live gigs in Cardiff reveal plans for future events
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The team behind this summer's debut Blackweir Live events said the gigs had been a huge success and they were working on plans for more. Cardiff-based Depot Live and UK promoters Cuffe and Taylor say they hope that this is the start of a regular concert series which could bring more famous artists to the city's green space next year. The concert series saw artists Stevie Wonder, Alanis Morissette, Noah Kahan and Slayer perform to more than 100,000 people over four massive headlining concerts. But they drew some criticism and complaints for blocking access to Blackweir Fields, noise issues and traffic delays due to road closures. The organisers said that 40% of the 100,000 people who attended the gigs had travelled from outside of Wales and 3,000 people had worked there. Nick Saunders, founder of DEPOT Live said: 'To have had such huge artists grace the stage for Blackweir has been incredible. "From the artists to the music fans, the feedback for Blackweir has been overwhelmingly positive. A first year site is always nerve-wracking but it's safe to say Blackweir 2025 has been a huge success, and we are excited to work on future plans in consultation with residents and the council. Cardiff Council said there was a review due to take place into the performance of the Blackweir Live series and will make a decision about future plans in due course. The council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Parks, Jen Burke said: "Events like this can be a fantastic opportunity to showcase what we're about, and this summer we are truly living up to our billing as a Music City." Business leaders and hoteliers have also welcomed the new concert series. Also, you can see all the best photos from the gigs, here. Carolyn Brownell, CEO of FOR Cardiff, the Business Improvement District (BID) of Cardiff city centre, said: "Events like Blackweir are invaluable for Cardiff city centre. "They not only attract global talent and thousands of visitors they also deliver a meaningful boost to the local economy – filling hotels, restaurants, shops and bars during the summer period - a time which is historically quieter for city centre businesses. "It's been fantastic to see this new series establish itself, and we're excited to support its continued growth in the years ahead." (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne) While Blackweir Live was met with controversy and some criticism it also had a positive reaction thanks to its financial benefits for the city, read about that, here.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
This is how many people complained about noise at the Blackweir Live gig series in Cardiff
This is how many people complained about noise at the Blackweir Live gig series in Cardiff The series of gigs was opposed by a number of residents and park-goers, but also enjoyed by tens of thousands Blackweir Live sparked dozens of noise complaints (Image: John Myers ) One hundred noise complaints were made after a controversial series of gigs took place at a popular Cardiff park recently. Four days of performances were held at Blackweir Live in Bute Park this year, starting with Noah Kahan on Friday, June 27, and ending with Stevie Wonder on Wednesday, July 9. There were also performances by Alanis Morissette (Wednesday, July 2) and Slayer (Thursday, July 3). Concerns were raised about noise when a new events licence was granted for Blackweir Fields to host Blackweir Live in April. Never miss a Cardiff story and sign up to our newsletter here. Cardiff Council assured residents at the time there would be conditions in place to mitigate any potential noise nuisance. When we asked the local authority for the number of noise complaints that had been made after the Alanis Morissette gig it said it had received 48 complaints. It then provided us with an updated figure following the Stevie Wonder gig, which was 100 complaints in total across the series. Article continues below One local councillor said he could hear music from Blackweir Live two miles away with his windows closed. Cardiff Council ward member for Penylan, Cllr Rodney Berman, said on X during the Slayer gig at 10.14pm: "The sound is booming as I sit in my study with my windows shut and I'm about two miles away. "I hate to think how loud it must be for those living a lot nearer the site." The following number of noise complaints were made for each concert: Noah Kahan - 40 complaints Alanis Morissette - 10 complaints Slayer - 36 complaints Stevie Wonder - 14 complaints Local councillors for Cathays, Cllr Sarah Merry, Cllr Ali Ahmed, Cllr Norma Mackie, and Cllr Chris Weaver, raised concerns to the council about the Blackweir licence and its proposed operating hours before it was approved. Under the licence that was approved for Blackweir Fields there can only be six main event days during the year. It allows events to take place on any day during the week from 9am to 10.30pm. Blackweir Live on the final night (Image: John Myers ) The pollution control team at the council requested that a condition be added to the licence requiring a noise management plan to be submitted for approval by them at least 28 days prior to each event or at the start of a series of jointly-managed events. It also requires the noise management plan to include the proposed sound levels for the event, the proposed methods of monitoring and managing the impact of noise disturbance, and a complaint management process. A Cardiff Council spokesman said following the Alanis Morisette gig that noise complaints would all be reviewed in line with standard procedures. The spokesperson added: "However, noise monitoring on site has confirmed that the events have complied with the terms of the premises licence. 'The council has already committed to carrying out a full review of the events once they are complete and feedback from the public will be considered as a part of this process." The controversy around Blackweir Live started when ticket sales went live before a new licence for Blackweir Fields was approved. There was a licence in place for the site but this was for events of up to 25,000 people. The licence that was applied for asked for permission to allow events of up to 35,000 people. Cardiff Council argued that events like Blackweir Live, which was organised by Depot Live and Cuffe and Taylor, would bring tens of millions of pounds to the city's economy and generate revenue to maintain and improve Bute Park. However campaigners, sports teams, and Friends of Bute Park were worried about the potential impact more events would have on the park. Article continues below At a public meeting held in June many residents said they were not opposed to live music. However, they added that too much parkland was being made inaccessible during the summer months.
Wales Online
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Stevie Wonder at Blackweir live updates as roads close in Cardiff and fans get ready to see music icon's first gig in Wales for 50 years
Stevie Wonder is the last act to grace the stage at Cardiff's brand new Blackweir Live venue this summer, and we're on the scene bringing you all the information you need to get ready - or enjoy from afar if you don't have a ticket. As city centre roads close around the Castle, Bute Park and Civic Centre, we'll bring you the build up for the show, one of only three outdoor dates for the global superstar in the UK in 2025. Traffic is expected ahead of final gig of Blackweir Live, as Stevie bring his Love, Light & Song show to the Welsh capital, and we'll keep you updated on the conditions of the roads. The gig series, which has seen Noah Kahan, Alanis Morrissette and Slayer perform on Bute Park's Blackweir has been met with praise and criticism. You can read why people love it here, and about the cons of the gigs series here. Many people have been left frustrated by the traffic caused by the gigs as there are many road closures in place. This is the same for Stevie Wonder, when he performs at Blackweir Live on Wednesday, June 9.
