Just seen on Twitter that Bruce Springsteen has opened the First Direct Arena in Leeds tonight. A all purpose 13,000 capacity indoor arena. It got me thinking that Hull really needs this. I know we have ice arena, but its not really big enough. Maybe then we could attract big name acts to play in the City. I've no idea where it could be built.
With the recent sports events, held recently, The Allam's squash tournament, The boxing at Poorhouse Lane, Both the grounds having to be specially adapted. This is a project to be supported. Granted, they were both sports contests at sports grounds. An Entertainment complex would be good, with, the City of Culture, possibility. too. Good call.I.M.O.
Was boobunyip's post necessary? On the OP, the first place I can think of putting it is on Walton Street, but we all know how the council felt when the Allams wanted it...
I really think Leeds has shown its lack of sporting diversity by not including an ice rink at the venue. Instead of being used every day of the year it'll be used a dozen times. Madness. It really is rugby, cricket and football here and nothing else.
They're aiming for at least a dozen events a month, it's predicted to be one of the top ten busiest venues in the world(The O2 and Manchester Arena are already in the top three).
Doing what? Anyway, I still maintain it shouldve had an ice rink and the lack of one - there isnt an existing all year round one in Leeds btw - shows how lacking in diversity their sporting scene is.
Need something like Doncaster Dome, multi-purpose leisure centre and entertainment venue Been a couple of times and I think something like that in Hull would really help us
They already have places like that here, most just need some investment and a bit of doing up, and a group to book the live gigs. Loads of bands play in Hull.
If an Arena was built in Hull would it get the acts? There's Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle, all with well established venues, greater populations and better transport links to the rest of the country (Newcastle excluded). I doubt the large touring acts would select Hull over any of those, especially when the Hull demographic would be willing to travel the hour or so to the other venues.
Yeah, it looks like it will be used quite a bit. I have seen a few adverts around Leeds for comedians etc.
In the first few months alone, they have Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Leonard Cohen, Kaiser Chiefs, Andrea Bocelli, Rod Stewart, Depeche Mode, Stereophonics, Nickelback, Boyzone, Status Quo, Wet Wet Wet, The Australian Pink Floyd Show, Miranda Hart, Russell Howard, Micky Flanagan, Lee Evans, Cirque du Soleil, Dancing on Ice, WWE Live and BBC Sports Personality of the Year. I don't think they'll miss an Ice Rink to be honest.
To be fair Leeds is great for sport, it has one of the three UK Triathlon performance centres, some of the best golf courses in Yorkshire, multiple athletics venues, tennis academies, dozens of road cycling clubs and some top squash clubs. It's like saying Hull just has Football, RL & Ice Hockey, which we know isn't true.
It was probably more hassle than it was worth to put an Ice Rink in, the maintenance and messing around converting the venue for concerts would probably cost them more than they would make from a few skating sessions and an Ice hockey team, especially with the months worth of acts you've listed there.
I went to see the boss last night and the venue is fantastic. To be fair it is pretty versatile and can be used for boxing, basketball, tennis, ice dancing etc. I was about 15 rows from the back of the top tier and there was no reverb or echo on the sound from stage. Much better than Sheffield Arena and even Manchester Arena. The place is shaped as a huge theatre, like a modern Albert Hall. The only down side is the capacity being 13,000. Could have maybe done with another 3-4k on top but then SMG who run it for the council also run Manchester Arena so the won't want to complete directly. If Hull could have something half the size then it would be fantastic but like others have said within an hour there are 2 venues already. The KC could be used for much more and for the change from the costs of the Leeds Arena maybe the council could consider a moveable pitch for the KC on a pallet system so the stadium could become a concert venue in a couple of days without disturbing the pitch.
I think Hull does ok on the gig curcuit for the smaller groups. Not great, but ok. The likes of the Uni, Welly, Ice Arena (well it used to) have a lot of bands on. You're right though, we won't be able to compete with the bigger cities who'll pay them better money and offer bigger venues.
I do live in Leeds and have done for 14 years, I feel this is the wrong way around - Im criticising where I live and someone who doesnt live here (i assume) is defending it. I have honestly never heard anyone ever mention anything other than rugby, cricket and football. At least in hull there is ice hockey and there was speedway (is there still? I dont even know). I guess you havent seen the queues when the temporary ice rink comes in during winter. I wouldnt use it myself but Im sure tens of thousands would. It just seems an odd missed opportunity, why NOT do it? Is there another city in the UK the size of Leeds without a permanent ice rink?
