Livewire Festival 2018, which was to have been the surprise location for Mariah Carey’s only UK festival date this year, has been cancelled due to promoter illness.

A spokesperson for Manchester-based Livewire Events says the Blackpool event, whose mum-friendly line-up also featured Matt Goss and Boyz II Men, has been postponed to 2019 due to the “ill health of key personnel”. According to company filings, Livewire’s sole director is artist manager Andrew Falconer, of Piper Music Management.

“Discussions are currently underway with some of the artists’ representatives to determine participation in Livewire 2019,” the spokesperson adds.

“The decision was made due to the ill health of key personnel at the local promoter, Manchester-based Livewire Events”

Ticketholders have been advised to seek refunds from the point of purchase.

Livewire Festival debuted last year, selling out its 20,000 capacity with a nostalgia heavy bill topped by Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, the Jacksons and ‘the Hit Factory Live’ featuring Jason Donovan, Go West, Sinitta and more.

The event had expanded from three to four days for 2018, and was once again set take place at the Tower Headlands Arena (20,000-cap.) in Blackpool, a seaside resort in north-west England.

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The UK’s largest ballroom is inviting artists and promoters to take advantage of its “stunning acoustics” and “unique features” as it seeks to bolster its live music credentials.

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom – known to most non-ballroom dancing enthusiasts as a (Strictly) Come Dancing venue – recently hosted the finale of the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge tour, which saw The 1975 playing with the 60-piece BBC Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and its general manager tells IQ he’s keen for the venue, which has a capacity of 2,500 for concerts, to host more events of a similar nature.

“The ballroom produces such a wonderful sound that it makes a perfect concert hall, with a real uniqueness”

Kenny Mew, who describes the ballroom (pictured) as an “amazing space with […] amazing architectural features, stunning acoustics and the latest technical specifications”, comments: “The 1975’s Live Lounge performance in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was fantastic, and we hope to welcome more live music artists to the venue in the future.

“The ballroom produces such a wonderful sound that it makes a perfect concert hall, with a real uniqueness.”

The Tower Ballroom, which opened in 1894, is situated at the base at Eiffel-inspired Blackpool Tower in the English seaside town of the same name. It is jointly operated by Blackpool Council and Merlin Entertainments.

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