Scarborough Open Air Theatre Breaks Attendance Record A Third Year In A Row

Since Live Nation’s Cuffe and Taylor started programming the Open Air Theatre in Scarborough, England, in 2016, attendance has been up.

– Scarborough Open Air Theatre
Madness, too, played the iconic venue in 2017

More than 82,000 tickets have already been sold for this year’s summer season, which kicks off today, June 19, with a sold-out concert by Lionel Richie. Last year, 75,000 people bought tickets ahead of the summer’s first show, according to Peter Taylor, director of Cuffe and Taylor, who said: “We knew what a special venue this was when we took over programming events here in 2016 and we are delighted to be bringing such a stunning line-up of world renowned artists to the beautiful Yorkshire coast.”

Other headline shows scheduled at Scarborough Open Air Theatre until August include Gary Barlow, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Emeli Sandé, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Stereophonics, Bastille and Britney Spears.

A lake uses to separate the theatre’s stage from the stands, but it was filled in at the end of last year, increasing the venue’s capacity from 6,000 to 7,500. Its programmers are hopeful to break the 100,000-visitors barrier in 2018. 

Derek Bastiman, leader of Scarborough Borough Council, said: “I am delighted to hear that ticket sales have already topped last year’s results, which just goes to show that our decision to carry out work to increase the venue’s capacity was the right one to take.”

Taylor added, that “the shows are not only brilliant for music fans but for the local tourism economy with visitors coming here from across the UK and around the world to see a sensational series of shows.”

Janet Deacon, area director for the tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, agreed: “The acts booked every year have been phenomenal and are having a huge impact on the visitor economy. Many tourism accommodation businesses have reported that as soon as a show is announced their bedrooms are booked and not only that, those visitors are becoming regular repeat visitors to the destination. The Open Air Theatre is definitely showcasing Scarborough to not only a UK but international audience.

“Cuffe and Taylor and Live Nation have really taken this venue to the next level,” she added.

– Scarborough Open Air Theatre
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds live on stage in 2016, the year Cuffe and Taylor started programming the venue

Live Nation announced the acquisition of Cuffe and Taylor at the beginning of last year, and agreed a 10-year deal with Scarborough Council later in the year, giving Live Nation the exclusive rights to stage events at the theatre.

This year’s summer line-up in full: Lionel Richie (June 19), The Script (June 21), Gary Barlow (June 22), Nile Rodgers and Chic (June 24), Steps (June 29), Alfie Boe (June 30), Emeli Sandé (July 5), Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (July 6), Stereophonics (July 19), Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics (July 20), Il Divo (July 21), James Arthur (July 26), Bastille (July 28), Texas (Aug. 11), Britney Spears (Aug. 17) and James (Aug. 18).