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Bradford Live unveils first launch season events

New UK venue Bradford Live has unveiled two events that will form part of its launch season this autumn.

Thank you for the Music, The Ultimate Tribute to ABBA will take place at the 4,000-cap venue on Friday 8 November, while Legend – The Music of Bob Marley will land on Friday 29 November.

Developer Bradford Live will hand the art deco former Odeon cinema over to operator the NEC Group by mid-2024, before the group completes the final fit out in the following months.

“We’ve now arrived in our year of opening and to be able to start announcing events is extremely exciting,” says general manager Darren Moore, who previously served at Bonus Arena Hull, York Barbican and First Direct Arena Leeds.

The West Yorkshire venue’s 1930s ballroom will also become a 500-person capacity space for entertainment, conferencing and banqueting events.

“It is great to confirm that the venue’s transformation is now at the phase where we are able to formally contract events”

“It is great to confirm that the venue’s transformation is now at the phase where we are able to formally contract events,” says Moore. “We expect to attract 300,000 visitors each year through hosting a calendar of 200+ world class music, comedy, and family entertainment events, as well as providing the city with great conference, meeting, and banqueting spaces.

“Anticipation for the grand opening continues to build in and around Bradford, and we are committed to delivering exceptional experiences for all.”

Under its former name of The Gaumont, the historic building welcomed legends such as Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles in the 1960s. The building then became an Odeon cinema and Top Rank Bingo club, before closing its doors in 2000.

Following a successful campaign to save the building, Bradford Live came in to find a long-term viable use for the venue in 2012 and secured the NEC Group as the venue’s future operator in 2017.

“Our vision is to create a cultural hub for the region that will celebrate the city and venue’s heritage, whilst ensuring world-class event spaces for generations to come,” adds Bradford Live’s Lee Craven. “It’s been a long journey, but the launch season is now in sight.”

 


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Darren Moore named GM of Bradford Live

NEC Group has named Darren Moore as general manager of its latest venue, Bradford Live, which is scheduled to open in spring/summer 2024.

Moore boasts extensive experience in UK venue management and event operations, having previously served at Bonus Arena Hull, York Barbican and First Direct Arena Leeds.

As GM, he will oversee all aspects of the 4,000-cap West Yorkshire venue’s operations, including event planning, client relations and staff management, and will be instrumental in curating a diverse range of live events. Bradford is UK City of Culture for 2025.

“I am honoured to be appointed as the general manager of Bradford Live,” says Moore. “This is such an exciting opportunity to bring this historic venue back to life and attract even more events to the region, I am eager to build and lead a team dedicated to delivering amazing experiences for our guests and the wider Bradford community, who can expect top music acts from the British, Asian and international music scenes, comedians and family entertainment with catering to suit everyone – a la carte dining through to street food, vegan to halal.

“NEC Group’s hospitality arm, Amplify, will also host a variety of options to upgrade event experiences to include VIP seating areas and pre-show hospitality. The venue will boast the renaissance of the beautiful 1930s ballroom, which will become a 500-person capacity space for conferencing and banqueting, whilst the impressive double height main auditorium will be reinstated as a 4000-capacity live events venue.

“Our vision to be a destination events venue with a unique heritage, combining this with fantastic service to curate unforgettable memories, I look forward to collaborating with our talented team and industry partners to bring the vision of this venue to life that will entertain and inspire our guests for years to come.”

NEC Group currently owns and operates NEC Birmingham, ICC Birmingham, Vox Conference Venue, Uitlita Arena Birmingham and Resorts World Arena. It also operates national ticketing agency The Ticket Factory, service brands Amadeus catering and Amplify hospitality.

“We are so excited to welcome Darren as the general manager for Bradford Live,” adds Daniel Boulger, head of venue developments at the NEC Group. “With his proven leadership and in-depth knowledge of both the industry and community, we are confident that Darren will drive the success of Bradford Live, positioning Bradford as a premier destination for exceptional entertainment.”

 


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ASM Global announces key venue appointments

ASM Global has made a pair of key leadership appointments in the UK and the Middle East.

Darren Moore, who was previously general manager of the 1,900-cap York Barbican, is named general manager of Bonus Arena, Hull.

The 3,500-cap venue, which opened in 2018, is set to welcome artists such as Texas, Paul Weller, Jack Savoretti, Pet Shop Boys, Foals, Paloma Faith and Bryan Adams over the coming months.

“Darren has many years of experience in the industry and has worked as part of our team for a little over 10 years,” Marie Lindqvist, SVP operations Europe at ASM Global. “For the last four years, Darren has successfully led the team to enhance the performance of York Barbican, in terms of both content and financial metrics, and we’re excited to see what he brings to the Bonus Arena, Hull.”

In addition, Dan Harris, the current general manager at Bonus Arena, is relocating to Dubai to become commercial director for the 17,000-cap Coca-Cola Arena.

“We want to thank Dan for his leadership, and the success he has brought to our business in the UK,” adds Lindqvist. “We are very pleased to see him continuing his career with ASM Global in this new, exciting role with our team in Dubai.”

“As a proven leader within ASM Global, we are thrilled to welcome Dan to the team”

Harris, who has also served as GM for Scunthorpe’s Baths Hall and Plowright Theatre in the UK, says: “I am looking forward to the challenge afforded to me in the Middle East, by ASM Global and Dubai Holding. It is great to see the return of live events in Dubai and I will be working closely with key stakeholders and commercial partners to continue driving the industry at Dubai’s home of live entertainment.”

Harris’ appointment the promotion of Mark Jan Kar to GM of the Coca-Cola Arena in June 2021. The venue has sought to diversify its strategy by catering to an increasing number of sporting events. Upcoming concerts include The Kooks and Ronan Keating.

ASM Global APAC chairman and CEO Harvey Lister AM adds: “As a proven leader within ASM Global, we are thrilled to welcome Dan to the team. Coca-Cola Arena has seen a strong recovery as it emerges from the pandemic and I am positive that Dan’s extensive background in events and venue management will greatly benefit the arena as Dubai cements itself on the global touring circuit.”

 


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