The Week in Light & Sound
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Royal Engagement - Robbie Williams will headline the first large-scale live music event to be held at the Sandringham royal estate. The pop star will be joined by several special guests at the outdoor concert in Norfolk on 26 August. Giles Cooper, from Heritage Live, said: "It will be the most magical concert in the most amazing surroundings that'll live in our memories forever." While the royal estate has played host to a number of events, including the mile-long Luminate Sandringham outdoor trail this Christmas, the concert will be the first time it has held a live-music event of this scale, organisers said. Pre-sale tickets to see the former Take That singer are due to go on sale on Thursday, with general sale starting on Friday.
Atlantic Crossing - Irish rock band U2's music has been described as a "bridge between Ireland and America" by United States President Joe Biden. He made the remarks at a White House reception ahead of the Kennedy Center Honours on Sunday, which saw the band awarded one of America's most prestigious cultural awards.
The annual event recognises five stars from across music, screen and stage for their significant contribution to American culture. The 2022 recipients also included actor George Clooney, singer Gladys Knight, singer-songwriter Amy Grant and composer Tania León. During the event, President Biden described the United States and Ireland as friends, linked in memory and imagination. He said the members of U2 were inheritors of the Irish tradition of poetry and protest and had a belief in the dignity of all people.
"From this Irish-American president in a White House designed by Irish hands, I want to thank U2 for all you have done," he said. "You really make a difference."
Let’s Do London - Tickets for London West End shows are to be sold at a discount by Transport for London (TfL) to try to attract people into the capital on the Tube. The 12 Shows of Christmas promotion is part of the mayor's Let's Do London campaign. One hundred tickets will be sold for £30, which is 35-45% of the usual price.
It is hoped the campaign will boost sales and tourism after the industry took a hit from the pandemic. People will be able to book a maximum of four tickets for a date of their choice between 1 January and 10 February 2023. The promotion, in partnership with Official London Theatre, will include classics such as The Mousetrap and the production of As You Like It that opened on 6 December at Soho Place. According to City Hall, the Let's Do London campaign has so far brought an extra 600,000 visitors to the capital.
Old Gold - Sir Elton John is to headline the Glastonbury Festival next summer, playing what will be the last UK date of his ‘farewell’ tour. The star will top the bill on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday, 25 June, and has promised a spectacular farewell. "There is no more fitting way to say goodbye to my British fans," he said in a statement announcing the show. I can't wait to embrace the spirit of the greatest festival in the world. It's going to be incredibly emotional."
The show will come more than five years after Sir Elton announced his 350-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. It was originally due to wrap up in 2021, giving the 75-year-old more time to spend with his young family, but multiple dates had to be rescheduled due to both the Covid pandemic and a hip injury the singer sustained in a fall.
Farewell - Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie has died at the age of 79. The British American rock band, founded in London in 1967, has sold more than 100m records worldwide, making them one of the most successful groups ever, with Christine writing some of their best-known numbers. The band paid in a statement following news of her death. “There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure.” RIP.
(Jim Evans)
6 December 2022
