{"id":394681,"date":"2025-09-03T13:54:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T13:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/394681\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T13:54:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T13:54:15","slug":"council-begins-review-to-decide-future-of-controversial-blackweir-live-gigs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/394681\/","title":{"rendered":"Council begins review to decide future of controversial Blackweir Live gigs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Cardiff Council said it would conduct a review of the Blackweir Live gig series to help it decide whether or not it should go ahead again next year<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_Blackweir-Live.jpg\" alt=\"A picture of crowds at Blackweir Live and the main stage in the background \" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Cardiff Council has launched a survey on Blackweir Live asking people how the gig series affected them this summer(Image: John Myers)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Cardiff Council has begun a review of a controversial gig series that saw major artists <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/whats-on\/music-nightlife-news\/alanis-morissette-gives-fans-cardiff-31981282\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"like Stevie Wonder and Alanis Morissette perform at a popular city parkLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">like Stevie Wonder and Alanis Morissette perform at a popular city park<\/a>. Blackweir Live, which took place over a number of dates in June and July, also saw <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/whats-on\/music-nightlife-news\/gallery\/20-brilliant-pictures-first-blackweir-32031420\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"other big names like Noah Kahan and Slayer play at Blackweir FieldsLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">other big names like Noah Kahan and Slayer play at Blackweir Fields<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Key decision makers at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/all-about\/cardiff\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Cardiff<\/a> Council argued the series would bring in tens of millions for the Cardiff\u2019s economy. Its organisers, Depot Live and Cuffe and Taylor, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/whats-on\/music-nightlife-news\/organisers-controversial-blackweir-live-gigs-32055340\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"hailed Blackweir Live as a major successLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">hailed Blackweir Live as a major success<\/a> and expressed their hope for it to happen again next year. Never miss a Cardiff story and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=04b7baad-60af-4999-8f27-3ec3c1e7d11e&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"sign up to our newsletter hereLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">sign up to our newsletter here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, concerns about the series and its potential impact on the park were raised before it even took place and the decision on whether or not it can go ahead in 2026 depends on the outcome of a <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/all-about\/cardiff-council\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Cardiff Council<\/a> review.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The recently published survey on Cardiff Council\u2019s website, which the local authority said is part of a wider evaluation exercise, states: \u201cCardiff has a strong record of hosting major concerts by internationally recognised artists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThis year, Blackweir Live was added to that concert programme for the first time, and we would like to hear about what you think that has brought to Cardiff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cYour feedback is vital in helping the event organisers and us as a local authority address any concerns, and ensure future events are planned with the community in mind.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThis survey focuses on the impact on your day-to-day life, your views on the events returning, and what changes you\u2019d like to see.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sports teams, park users and and Friends of Bute Park were <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/news\/wales-news\/reasons-blackweir-live-bad-idea-31899734\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"among those who raised concerns about the use of Blackweir FieldsLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">among those who raised concerns about the use of Blackweir Fields<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Friends of Bute Park argued that in allowing Blackweir Live to take place, the balance between public use of the park and corporate events had \u201cswung too far\u201d in favour of the latter and that access to areas of parkland was \u201calmost non-existent\u201d for parts of the summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">There are a number of events, including live music events, that already take place at Bute Park during the summer months. Noise complaints were also made about Blackweir Live concerts and the level of congestion across the city, caused in part by the closure of North Road and Castle Street, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/news\/wales-news\/closure-two-key-cardiff-roads-32010219\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"left many residents and commuters stranded in trafficLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">left many residents and commuters stranded in traffic<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In Cardiff Council\u2019s Blackweir Live survey people are asked if they attended any of the gigs, how they felt about large performances being held at Blackweir Fields and whether it affected their daily life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The survey also asks people how they feel the event organisers managed the impact on residents, whether there are future improvements that could be made and would they support large concerts being held at Blackweir Fields again in the future?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A key argument made by decision makers at Cardiff Council in favour of Blackweir Live going ahead is that it will generate income for the local authority.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The council leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, suggested this could be used to help avoid difficult budget decisions in the future.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Cardiff Council\u2019s cabinet member for culture, sport and parks, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said the money from Blackweir Live could be re-invested into grass roots music venues and parks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">When the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked Cardiff Council how much money it made from Blackweir Live, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walesonline.co.uk\/news\/wales-news\/cardiff-council-wont-say-how-32334390\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"it refused to say, arguing that the information is commercially sensitiveLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">it refused to say, arguing that the information is commercially sensitive<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cardiff Council said it would conduct a review of the Blackweir Live gig series to help it decide&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":394682,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5010],"tags":[748,12502,14695,4884,16,15,1764],"class_list":{"0":"post-394681","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wales","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-cardiff","10":"tag-cardiff-council","11":"tag-great-britain","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom","14":"tag-wales"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115140707297712606","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=394681"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394681\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/394682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=394681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=394681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=394681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}