PEOPLE may have been tightening their belts during 2011 but big pop acts seem to have lost none of their appeal.
SMG (Newcastle), owners of the city’s Metro Radio Arena, yesterday announced a record year for the venue with a 6% rise in profits.
In fact, 2011 has become the 10th consecutive year of improving financial results, suggesting people will still fork out to see their favourite acts perform live on a big stage.
According to the SMG (Newcastle) management, the company – which also operates The Journal Tyne Theatre and Playhouse Whitley Bay – has been ranked seventh in the world by industry publication Pollstar on the basis of the number of tickets sold during the year’s first quarter.
Colin Revel, executive director of the Arena, said there were various reasons for the constant improvement.
The most important, though, was “the continuing support and appetite of largely the North East public to attend our events.”
He acknowledged that family budgets were strained but the public evidently still wanted to see live events and be entertained.
The quality of this year’s Disney on Ice shows had attracted 10,000 more people than expected over the 11-show run.
Comedy had proved to be a continuing success story. With three John Bishop shows scheduled, as well as four by Michael McIntyre and five of Mrs Brown, comedy will continue to be a big Arena player in 2012.
“We are particularly pleased that Mrs Brown is receiving the acclaim it deserves as SMG showcased this phenomenon several times at the Tyne Theatre,” Mr Revel said.
The role of the Arena in boosting the economy on Tyneside was also highlighted, with up to 20% of the audience at some shows making the evening’s entertainment the highlight of an extended visit.
Business at the two SMG-run theatres had also been better than expected.
Comedy – specifically Sarah Millican – will again boost the takings at the Tyne Theatre in 2012.
Ten shows by the Geordie comic have sold out.
The company reports that the successes enable it to continue being a significant employer, with a core of permanent staff and nearly 200 working part-time or on a casual basis.
Mrs Brown Rides Again will be at the Metro Radio Arena from June 26-30, Michael McIntyre from October 9-12 and John Bishop from October 19-21.
Among others coming to the venue in the new year are Snow Patrol (February 5), Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour (February 7, 8 and 9), Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (February 23), Florence and The Machine (March 16), Chris Rea (March 31), JLS (April 1), Il Divo (April 2), Steps: The Ultimate Tour (April 8) and Elton John (June 13).
Expect a recession-defying good time on every occasion.