On 11 May, tribute bands the Bootleg Beatles, Bjorn Again, Killer Queen and Led Astray performed, while the following evening opera singers Katherine Jenkins and Russell Watson were backed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra - an evening which also included the two singers performing together for the very first time.
The Vertech VT2015FPVL stage unusually being placed on a 'long' side of the stadium, rather than the traditional position at one end.
As Murrayfield is the home of Scottish international rugby, great care had to be taken of both the playing surface and the perimeter running track, with no activity allowed on the bare surface of either.
"We constructed the stage on aluminium surface protection and all access was via temporary 'roads' to the stadium's north and south entrances," says Star Events Group's Pete Holdich. "In addition, a 7.5m x 5m FoH structure and camera platform was built on the hard plastic pitch covering, which had been laid for audience seating, with the FoH structure being removed directly after the show to minimise impact of the weight on the pitch."
Logistics were complicated by there being a 2.9m height restriction at both the entrances to the stadium, so all equipment had to be unloaded and later reloaded in the car parks outside the stadium.
The stage was completed in three days with a crew of seven headed by Star Events Group's Andrew 'Bomber' Phillips, assisted by a local team of stage hands.
"This was a challenging build, especially the logistics of putting the stage in a different place to the usual end position," says Holdich. "But all the contractors worked seamlessly together to deliver a high quality event which proved how popular Murrayfield is as a venue. We hope to be involved in many more."
Dean Lewis of Murrayfield Sport & Leisure adds: "Pete Holdich and his staff were very flexible in responding to changing circumstances during the events, for which I'd like to thank them."
(Jim Evans)
