Thomond Park’s five upcoming concerts are set to deliver over €40 million in economic impact to the region, according to Stadium Director John Cantwell.
The Limerick landmark is set to host a star-studded summer lineup including Lewis Capaldi, Michael Bublé, Pitbull, Florence + the Machine and Kings of Leon bringing a mix of rock, soul, and pop for music fans across the Mid-West.
“What we wanted to do was really give people a variety this year,” says Cantwell.
Working with promoter MCD and following the success of performances by Liam Gallagher from Oasis, Snow Patrol and Dermot Kennedy, Thomond Park have “established [themselves] as a fantastic venue for shows.”
Cantwell ensures that each show is tailored to the artist’s needs as they all have “different requirements like Michael Bublé would want a nice long stage and an atmospheric setting” while Kings of Leon “want dramatic effects that complement their music.”
The goal for Thomond Park is that both artists and audiences want to come back.
“That’s the objective really, to make it a mainstay every year,” Cantwell said.
These concerts not only bring the entertainment but also represent a major economic opportunity for the region.
Independent surveys commissioned by the stadium show that three concerts in a year generate €30 million of an economic impact to Limerick and the Mid-West region.
Having acts of this calibre coming to Limerick also allows people from the Mid-West to travel much shorter distances and spend much less than they would for saturated concert spaces like Dublin.
“There’s some great venues up there, some great gigs but really I think there should be more venues like Thomond Park outside of Dublin.”
Cantwell expressed that they want the experience to be “as affordable as possible rather than just trying to make a quick killing.”
The stadium “is not vast” which makes it “very intimate and personal so I think that’s one of the main selling points.” Even on match day, it is “renowned for its atmosphere” so with the excitement from fans, the coming summer should provide truly impressive shows.
“I think it’s important for people to support their own” and with Limerick and the Mid-West’s support, Thomond Park is set to become the staple summer concert venue.