## Council Leader Responds to Criticism Over Major Cardiff Park Concerts
Cardiff’s top city official has robustly defended the decision to host major concerts featuring global stars Stevie Wonder and Alanis Morissette at Blackweir Fields in Bute Park. The events, part of the ‘Blackweir Live’ series occurring across June and July, have ignited debate over the use of public green spaces for large-scale live music events.
Council leader, Councillor Huw Thomas, asserted that welcoming such internationally renowned artists to the city offers not only cultural benefits but significant financial advantages. According to Cllr Thomas, income from these high-profile gigs will directly support core council services, including smaller grassroots music venues and the maintenance of other parks across Cardiff, helping the authority avoid austerity measures that have been seen in other parts of the UK.
The council’s backing for these concerts comes as local authorities nationwide face challenging economic conditions. Initial budget projections showed Cardiff Council may be required to find savings upwards of £60 million for the 2025/26 financial year. Although a more favourable settlement from the Welsh Government later reduced this figure to £27.7 million, the pressure to innovate in generating revenue remains.
Yet not all local stakeholders share in the optimism. A number of residents, community groups, sports associations, and volunteers have expressed concerns regarding the impact of such events on public spaces. They fear the scale of Blackweir Live will leave portions of Bute Park inaccessible during peak summer months, and potentially harm the condition of the land itself.
Addressing these anxieties, Cllr Thomas has stressed that necessary safeguards are in place to protect the landmark park. “We fully recognise how much Cardiff’s parks mean to the community,” he explained. “If any damage occurs as a result of the events, there are clear provisions requiring organisers to rectify it at their expense. This is not just about bringing big names into the city, but also about ensuring these spaces are looked after for future generations.”
Licensing regulations for Blackweir Fields have been under scrutiny throughout the planning process. To accommodate audiences of up to 35,000 people – above the previously permitted 25,000 – the council was required to issue a new licence. Despite questions over ticket sales beginning before the licence was finalised, council legal representatives said the tight turnaround time for securing high-calibre artists necessitated prompt action.
Cllr Thomas rejected suggestions that the council was unduly hurried, clarifying the local promotion partners had taken on some financial risk by pressing ahead. “We’re collaborating closely with a local promoter on this project, while major companies handle artist arrangements,” he said. “Every effort is being made to ensure the smooth running of these events, and lessons learned this year will guide future planning.”
The approved licence for Blackweir Fields includes 46 conditions intended to rigorously manage the staging of any future concerts and limit adverse impacts on the area. Among the stipulations is a cap of six main event days at the venue each year.
Major names on the summer schedule include Noah Kahan, Courteeners, and, following an unfortunate cancellation from Kings of Leon, headline acts Alanis Morissette, Slayer, and Stevie Wonder. The line-up reflects the city’s intention to cement its reputation as a prime destination for major musical acts.
While the debate continues between the economic and cultural gains of such events and the preservation of public space, Cllr Thomas remains confident: “Each summer Cardiff has become a stage for some of the world’s greatest musicians. By safeguarding both our cultural offer and our treasured parks, we believe this approach strikes the right balance for the people of Cardiff.”
As Cardiff prepares to welcome thousands of music fans to its parks in the coming weeks, the city’s balancing act between financial necessity and public interest remains firmly in the spotlight.