Latest news with #Murrayfield
The Guardian
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Edinburgh fringe event organisers urged to capitalise on Oasis and AC/DC gigs
Organisers of Edinburgh fringe events have been urged to be 'pretty smart' and capitalise on the decision by Oasis and AC/DC to play gigs in the city midway through the festival. There was surprise and irritation when it emerged the bands would be staging four concerts at Murrayfield stadium in mid-August when the world's largest arts festival is in full flow. Tony Lankester, who recently took over as the Fringe Society's chief executive, said fringe companies should see the concerts as an opportunity rather than fret about downsides. About 75,000 fans are expected for each concert – three by Oasis and one by AC/DC, putting the city's trains, buses and trams under even greater strain, with visitors competing for already scarce and expensive hotel beds. Lankester, who previously ran South Africa's national arts festival, said fringe venues should tempt Edinburgh residents who may 'want to hide' when the concerts take place with discounted tickets or free wine. Venues could also tempt Oasis and AC/DC concertgoers with 'morning after' performances in the city with free bacon rolls and coffee, he suggested. 'What we don't want to happen is for the local audience to hide that night,' he said. 'There's some pretty smart marketing type things that I think venues could be looking at. The fact is that it's not going away. Why not be completely opportunistic about it?' This year's fringe, which runs from 1 to 25 Augustand takes place alongside the international festival and book festival, is expected to involve about 50,000 performances at 265 venues. Lankester said the strength of the programme, which includes themes such as rebellious women, the apocalypse, queer joy and rave culture, showed artists were as hungry as ever to perform despite global crises and tensions. 'What excites me most about the programme, is the signal that it sends is of an industry in healthy shape,' he said. For the first time, five shows from US performers are being underwritten by donors to the Keep it Fringe funding strand launched in 2023 by the Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the fringe's honorary president, to support new, marginalised or innovative acts. Lankester said he had numerous conversations that 'reaffirmed for me what I knew coming into this job, that there's a lot of love and joy around the fringe. It's something that people absolutely want to preserve, protect, engage with, be part of. It's still on an incredible number of people's bucket lists.' He said he was talking to major brands about the potential to become headline sponsors of the fringe for the first time, to bring in extra revenue for performers and venues at a time of intense pressure on public funding. He said those discussions were at an early stage, but indicated it could involve a bank or beer brand. No sponsor would be allowed to rebrand the fringe, but their investments would help the festival to improve its finances. Sign up to The Guide Get our weekly pop culture email, free in your inbox every Friday after newsletter promotion In her last newspaper interview, Shona McCarthy, Lankester's immediate predecessor, accused political leaders of consistently neglecting the fringe and failing to adequately invest in services, transport and infrastructure such as mobile phone services. Lankester said he 'stood by' everything McCarthy had said. Her 'enormously valuable' intervention had fuelled action and more responsiveness in the council, the Scottish government and other agencies, he said, adding: 'The message landed.' Lankester is lobbying Edinburgh council to devote at least £1.1m of a new visitor levy on hotel beds to supporting the festival, and is in talks about strengthening the city's ailing mobile and wifi services, as well as improved rail services for non-residents. The visitor levy will come into force in July 2026, but hotels will begin collecting it on all bookings made from October this year. 'What we don't want to happen is for that money to sort of disappear into a black hole and for no benefit to be felt by the people [who] drive a big chunk of that revenue,' he said.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
John Lennon's Scots holiday home won't have a plaque to say so after plans dropped
His worldwide fame as one of The Beatles means every town and city craves a connection to his legacy. However, plans to mark the Edinburgh home where John Lennon spent his childhood holidays have collapsed following a bitter fall out among officials. As a schoolboy Lennon regularly spent part of the summer holidays with his aunt and uncle at the two-storey property in the capital's upmarket Murrayfield area. He penned the Fab Four's song Rain while staying at the house and also returned to visit at the height of Beatlemania. To mark the connection, a commemorative sign was proposed by Pete Gregson of the Murrayfield Community Council (MCC), which initially backed the project in 2023. Just weeks later Mr Gregson was asked to resign by fellow councillors after they took exception to comments they claimed he wrote online about the 'situation in Gaza'. Minutes from subsequent meetings show the issue was resolved, with Mr Gregson continuing to be on the community council until choosing to leave this year. However, in the wake of his departure, the plaque proposal has now been officially dropped. MCC secretary Hamish Ross said: 'A new Community Council was formed following the 2025 election cycle. 'Local plaques are not on the agenda at the moment and the leading light behind this particular one stood down at the elections.' Lennon's aunt Elizabeth – known to her family as 'Mater' – was the sister of his mother Julia, and lived at 15 Ormidale Terrace with her son Stan Parkes and her second husband Robert Sutherland. The proposed wording on the plaque read: 'John Lennon visited Ormidale Terrace regularly until the age of 17 in 1957 to visit his aunt and cousin; he often performed for the family on his aunt's piano. 'The cupboard under the stairs was where he penned The Beatles ' song Rain, the 1966 B-side to Paperback Writer. His long summers here ranked among his happiest childhood memories, describing Edinburgh as one of his favourite cities, enjoying the Festival, the Tattoo and the rugby at Murrayfield. 'He even brought Yoko Ono here in 1969.' Marlene Wood, 62, the current owner of the £1 million townhouse, said some people liked the idea of the plaque 'but others definitely opposed it'. She said: 'We already get people ringing the doorbell to ask for a look around. 'I think some neighbours were worried the street would become a tourist attraction. The taxi drivers know the house, so I see them slowing down and people staring out.' In a letter written in 1978 to his cousin Stan, two years before Lennon was murdered outside his New York apartment, he expressed his regret at the house being sold by the family. He wrote: 'I would have bought 15 Ormidale. Wish, wish, wish.'
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Robbie Williams in Edinburgh: Fans flock to Murrayfield to see pop showman kick off UK tour
The former Take That star declared when the tour was announced last year that it would be 'my boldest yet' and promised to include songs from the movie 'Better Man'. The Edinburgh appearance is one of only four UK dates, which will see him also visiting London, Manchester and Bath. Fans were happy to chat ahead of the gig about how long they had liked Robbie Williams and what their favourite songs were. Williams previously performed at Murrayfield in 2003 and 2017. He has won an astonishing 18 Brit Awards and equalled The Beatles' record for most number one albums in the UK chart. 1 . Fans from Genoa These four travelled from Genoa to be at the concert | TSPL Photo: Frederick Brown Photo Sales 2 . Fans for 40 years These two travelled from Middlesbrough and say they have been fans of Robbie Williams for 40 years. | TSPL Photo: Frederick Brown Photo Sales 3 . Candy singer The fan on right, from Newcasle, has a video of herself singing Candy in her seventh birthday - but she and her friend, from Ireland, both say their favourite song is Come Undone. | TSPL Photo: Frederick Brown Photo Sales 4 . Taken as red Lots of fans chose a touch of flamboyance for the occasion. | TSPL Photo: Frederick Brown Photo Sales
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Michelle McManus nervous ahead of Robbie Williams duet
Singer Michelle McManus says she is more nervous to perform with Robbie Williams than she was to sing in front of the Pop Idol winner, who presents the Afternoon Show on BBC Radio Scotland, will duet with Williams at Murrayfield on Saturday on the first night of his Britpop Angels singer surprised McManus on her radio show with the invitation to join him on said it was "really lovely" and "symbolic" to be invited to perform with Robbie 22 years into her career. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime programme, the Scottish singer said she was nervous but excited to perform in front of a home said: "My happy place is when I sing, so the singing part is not the problem, the nervous part is singing to Robbie Williams in front of 70,000 people."When we did the pope's visit in Bellahouston it was 80,000 - but singing for a bunch of cardinals and a Pope was slightly different than singing for Robbie Williams." In the two decades since she shot to fame on talent contest, Pop Idol, McManus has played gigs including the 2014 Commonwealth Games and Pope Benedict's visit to Glasgow in said: "I'm at a stage in my life now, I'm 45, I've got my two kids, I'm so lucky to be here at BBC Radio Scotland. "Everything is in place and then comes this big gig at Murrayfield which was not on my bingo card for this year."It's really emotional to be asked by somebody who is your friend to join them on stage, it is a lovely thing." Swarovski crystals Williams is on a five-month tour of the UK and Europe, performing hit including Let Me Entertain You, Angels and She's the One. He has previously duetted with Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Taylor Swift - a list that McManus can now add her name and Williams became acquainted in the early 2000s when he gave her advice on handling fame and the friendship continued through the years, with Michelle recently attending the premiere of his film biopic Better of their Saturday performance are under wraps, with Michelle keeping quiet about the chosen song. But she did reveal her outfit features 40,000 Swarovski crystals."I'm never going to take it off. It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever had on my body," she said."You will not need to worry about seeing me from the stage, from the colour of my hair and the amount of crystals."
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Robbie Williams in Edinburgh: Everything you need to know about Murrayfield gig
Robbie Williams kicks off his UK tour in Edinburgh this weekend – and here's everything you need to know ahead of the gig. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The pop showman plays Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on May 31, 2025 – on one of only four UK dates that includes London, Manchester and Bath. As you'd expect, excitement is already building, with fans desperate to see the pop showman, who has previously performed at Murrayfield in 2003 and 2017. Who is Robbie Williams? Robbie shot to fame in boyband Take That before launching a successful solo career. The 50-year-old, who has won an astonishing 18 Brit Awards, equalled The Beatles' record for most number one albums in the UK chart in January. His latest offering, Better Man – a soundtrack to his biopic of the same name – became his 15th record to top the official albums chart. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His other No.1 albums include Life Thru A Lens (1997), I've Been Expecting You (1998), Sing When You're Winning (2000), Swing When You're Winning (2001), Escapology (2002), Greatest Hits (2004), Intensive Care (2005) and Rudebox (2006). There's also In And Out Of Consciousness: Greatest Hits 1990-2010 (2010), Take The Crown (2012), Swings Both Ways (2013), The Heavy Entertainment Show (2016), The Christmas Present (2019) and XXV (2022). What has Robbie said about this tour? Speaking about the upcoming UK shows when they were announced last year, he said: 'This tour is going to be my boldest yet - I can't wait to see you next year. There will be songs from the movie 'Better Man', and some new music too…but more on that soon.' Can you still get tickets? There are still a small amount of tickets left. More could become available later. Or not. Visit Ticketmaster to check availability. Who is supporting Robbie in Edinburgh? There have been two support acts announced for the gig. First up will be The Lottery Winners, followed by Rag 'n' Bone Man. What time does the gig start? Doors open at 4pm. Stage times have yet to be released. What are the rules for entering the stadium? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There will be various security procedures in place at Scottish Gas Murrayfield:All ticket holders will be searched before entering the Gas Murrayfield stadium enforces a strict A4 bag policy (30cm x 21cm x 21cm) for concerts. Bags larger than this size, unless for childcare or medical reasons, will not be bags will be searched before entry to the venue is permitted. Please note that bags do not need to be clear. Where possible it is recommended that ticket holders do not bring bags with them to ensure quick entry into the further venue information, visit Scottish Gas Murrayfield's website. How to Scottish Gas Murrayfield by bus Royal Highland Centre and Ingliston Park & Ride – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad X12 from Royal Highland Centre: 14:30, 14;50, 15:10, 15:30, 15:50, 16:07, 16:22, 16:37, 16:52, 17:07, 17:22, 17:37, 17:52, and 18:07. Following the concert there will be frequent departures for up to an hour from Murrayfield Road. X22 from Royal Highland Centre: 15:00, 15:20, 15:40, 16:00, 16:15, 16:30, 16:47, 17:05, 17:20 and 17:40. Following the concert, there will be frequent departures from Murrayfield Wickes Car Park for up to an hour. Hermiston Park & Ride – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium: Service 25 to Gorgie Road (10-minute walk to the stadium) up to every 12 the city centre, the follow services are available: To Gorgie Road – Services 22, 30, X27, and Gorgie Road – Services 1, 2, 25 and Corstorphine Road – Services 12, 26, 31, and X18. From Edinburgh Airport: To Corstorphine Road – Airlink West Lothian: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To Corstorphine Road – Service X18 and Service Gorgie Road – Services X27 and Service X28. Getting there by tram If you're heading to the gig by tram, buy your tickets in advance from Edinburgh Ticket – – or Tap On and Tap Off the tram – – with your contactless-enabled card or device for maximum convenience. What songs will Robbie sing in Edinburgh? It's impossible to say for sure, but Robbie played a stadium gig in Cape Town in January, and it's likely that the setlist will be broadly similar for his upcoming UK shows. These are the songs you can expect to hear – along with some surprises and perhaps even a guest appearance or two: Let Me Entertain YouLand of 1000 DancesStrongCome UndoneBetter ManCould It Be MagicDon't Look Back in AngerBack for GoodLove My LifeCandySupremeMillenniumFeelKidsRock DJNo RegretsShe's the OneAngels
