Cork was yesterday gearing up for two weeks of rock music which it is estimated will see over 45,000 music fans spend an estimated €5 million at 11 concerts at a specially constructed 5,000-seater marquee in the Cork docklands.
According to promoter Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions, the second series of Live at the Marquee in the Cork Docklands has proven even more popular than last year's series which saw thousands attend concerts by Brian Wilson, Diana Ross and others.
Christy Moore kicks off the series of concerts tonight, followed by David Gray tomorrow and Bob Dylan on Sunday. Next week, Art Garfunkel will play, and Roger Waters will be joined by fellow Pink Floyd member Nick Mason on drums.
The concerts carry on into July with American hip-hop star Kanye West doing two concerts on July 2nd-3rd and ex-Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant performing on July 5th, followed a night later by Roxy Music with Irish acts The Frames and Des Bishop.
"Bob Dylan sold out very quickly.We've had a very good response to everyone - the only one that's disappointing is Roxy Music. I thought they would do 4,000 but they've done 2,000," said Mr Aiken.
According to Mr Aiken, some 60 per cent of sales have come from the greater Cork area, with many fans making this a weekend trip .
Meanwhile, the Cork Midsummer Festival continues this weekend and next week with Corca Dorcha's production of The Tempest in Fitzgerald's Park, while this Sunday the park will host the lord mayor's Children's Picnic in the Park.
Elsewhere, music- and theatre-lovers have been enjoying a variety of gigs at the Spiegeltent at Emmet Place. These continue next week with concerts by Cork singers Mick Flannery and John Spillane and Cork band The Frank and Walters.
