Kaiser Chiefs 'Really F*cked Off' With Owners Of Leeds Arena Over Opening Act Confusion
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Written by Elliott Batte
English indie-rockers Kaiser Chiefs seem to be rather unhappy at the new Leeds Arena and it’s owners - after they believed they were the act that will christen the opening of the venue.
The brand new, 13,000 capacity Leeds Arena is set to open in summer this year, and the team behind it have claimed that ‘no other arena in the UK will offer such good sight lines, amazing acoustics and a such a dynamic atmosphere’.
And, with a new venue very much in demand from locals - who only really have Brudenell Social Club, the O2 Academy, the Cockpit, and the Students Union as major venues - the owners are trying to open it with a bang.
So, they’ve decided to enlist the help of some of the world’s biggest and best performers to make sure that it happens - but it seems a few different people thoought they would be the people to put the new stage through it’s paces on opening night.
We at Stereoboard alone have reported four different bands and names who would have been given the thumbs up to take on the task - JLS, Kaiser Chiefs, Elton John,, and most recently, Bruce Springsteen. With the Kaiser Chiefs’ gig also set to be a homecoming show, they jumped at the opportunity when first asked. But today, they’ve hit out at organisers, because they’ve now confirmed that The Boss Bruce Springsteen will be the act to open the new venue on July 24th.
A spokeman for the Leeds Arena clarified the position to Stereoboard, "When opening a venue, it's impossible to please everyone with your opening act. That’s why we've decided to have an opening season of diverse acts. This has always been the plan and promoters and artists' management have been appraised and consulted all along the process. "
"Sir Elton John remains our official opening act, with the Boss testing the venue on the 24th of July. The opening season currently starts with Elton and then features, diverse acts including local favourites the Kaiser Chiefs, Andrea Bocelli and Micky Flanagan, with more still to be announced. We look forward to all the fantastic artists and bands we are booking to the world class Leeds Arena."
Posting via Twitter earlier though, Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson told fans: ”Really f**cked off with @leeds_arena. They asked us to open the thing then put Elton on the week before and now Bruce.”
He has since deleted the tweet, but posted soon after:
Thought I better delete that. Just really f**cked off.
Kaiser Chiefs are currently in the middle of their UK tour, which continues tomorrow at Cheltenham Racecourse. If you’re in need of any tickets - including a pair for their homecoming show in the new Leeds Arena - check the dates and links below.
Thu February 21st 2013 - Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham
Fri February 22nd 2013 - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
Sat February 23rd 2013 - University of Exeter, Exeter
Mon February 25th 2013 - Southampton Guildhall, Southampton
Tue February 26th 2013 - Winter Gardens, Margate
Wed February 27th 2013 - Cambridge Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Fri March 1st 2013 - O2 Academy Brixton, London
Fri July 26th 2013 - Racecourse, York
Fri September 13th 2013 - Arena, Leeds
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
