Latest news with #BlackweirLive
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
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
20 brilliant pictures of the first Blackweir Live event as Cardiff hosted huge crowds and global stars
A huge summer of music in Cardiff saw the introduction of a brand new gig series in one of the city's beautiful parks. Blackweir Live has taken over Blackweir Fields in Bute Park, and brought four global artists to Cardiff. Although the gig series has been met with some criticism, many have enjoyed seeing the impressive line-up. The gig series kicked off with American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, followed by Alanis Morissette, thrash metal band Slayer, and finally music legend Stevie Wonder, all of who delighted the massive crowds. With a capacity of a whopping 35,000 people this gig series is awe-inspiring. Read why we think the concert series taught us we can dream big, here. Blackweir Live is run by Depot - who also look after the Cardiff Castle gigs which has seen Elbow, James, Snow Patrol and more perform - and Cuffe and Taylor. Home to a massive and towering stage, many concertgoers could not get over how huge the site was. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here At Blackweir Live, there were bars lining each side and food stalls with pretty much every cuisine you could imagine; you weren't just limited to burgers and chips here. Noah kicked off the gig series with a very impressive set, featuring his hits like Stick Season and You're Gonna Go Far, meanwhile Alanis brought all the 1990s nostalgia. Slayer's pyrotechnics and hard rock classics elicted some righteous moshing, and the icon that is Stevie Wonder finished the gig series with classics like Superstition and Isn't She Lovely. Often the weather was stunning for the gigs, meaning the fans remained dry. An impressive feat for summer in Wales. The insane operation behind pulling off the first-ever Blackweir Live can not be ignored. They nailed the scale of the road closure, seeing fans exit safely and head home. There were pedestrian bridges built over the canal just for the gigs to ensure a smooth exit, there were extra trains from Great Western Rail and Transport for Wales, and the whole event felt well-thought-out and clear. Here are some of the pictures from the first-ever Blackweir Live gig series in Cardiff.
Wales Online
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
The one thing experts say you must not do whilst driving in a heatwave
The one thing experts say you must not do whilst driving in a heatwave Experts say it could result in a fire Traffic in Cardiff ahead of the Stevie Wonder gig at Blackweir Live (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Drivers are being urged not to use their phones in windscreen holders while driving during the heatwave. Many motorists rely on their smartphones for GPS navigation while they drive, but extreme heat and direct sunlight can cause serious and lasting damage to mobile phones. Mobile phone recycling comparison experts Compare and Recycling says that most smartphones are designed to operate safely at temperatures of up to around 35°C; however, exceeding that can lead to lasting damages and dangers. This can include: The battery overheating or swelling, which can cause a fire Permanent screen or processor damage Unexpected shutdowns and reduced performance Accelerated wear and tear on internal components Having your phone stationed on your dashboard can raise its internal temperature to dangerous levels. Reddit users have previously complained about their iPhones overheating while using CarPlay alone - even without the added pressure of a heatwave. Head of marketing at Compare and Recycle, Antonia Hristov said: 'Smartphones are essentially mini-computers and just like laptops, they don't cope well in extreme heat. 'Using your phone for any task generates heat, and when it's in direct sunlight - especially mounted next to a windscreen where the glass creates a greenhouse effect and intensifies the heat. "It can quickly exceed safe operating temperatures going beyond the recommended 35°C, which even phones with advanced cooling systems struggle with. 'An overheating battery doesn't just pose a risk of damaging your device; it can also pose a safety risk. "When temperatures soar outside, we recommend attaching your phone using a holder that clips onto the air-conditioning vent, keeping the phone cool. 'If you don't need to have your phone up in front of you, and have Apple or Android CarPlay, we recommend that you use that instead, ensuring that you store your phone in a shaded and cool spot inside the car while driving. Article continues below 'You can even remove your phone case or switch on airplane mode while driving to help with cooling.'
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.
