**Cardiff Council Faces Criticism Over High-Profile Music Events in Bute Park**
A heated debate has unfolded in Cardiff regarding the decision by the city council to host a series of major music events at Blackweir Fields, a green expanse nestled within the popular Bute Park. With internationally acclaimed artists such as Stevie Wonder and Alanis Morissette slated to perform as part of the ‘Blackweir Live’ concert series over the summer, local residents and park societies have raised concerns about the consequences these events may have on one of Cardiff’s most treasured public spaces.
The first event is scheduled to take place on 27 June, launching a sequence of concerts that organisers hope will draw large crowds to the city centre. While the booking of such star names has generated considerable excitement among many music fans, it has also prompted a groundswell of anxiety amongst those who regularly use the park for recreation and sport. Opponents fear the scale and frequency of these large-scale events risk compromising the accessibility, natural beauty, and integrity of Blackweir Fields and the broader parkland.
During a public meeting convened at Cathays Community Centre, members of the Cardiff Civic Society and Friends of Bute Park voiced their objections directly to Councillor Huw Thomas, leader of the city council. Attendees acknowledged the economic opportunities created by high-profile concerts, but questioned whether these benefits justified potential harm to the park and inconvenience to local residents.
Fiona Peel, representing concerned citizens, struck a conciliatory tone, recognising the council’s mandate both to act as good stewards of public spaces and to encourage the arts. “We understand the desire to generate income, but the worry is: at what cost does this come?” she asked, encapsulating the dilemma faced by many in the community.
This sentiment was echoed by Jim Bischoff from Friends of Bute Park, who voiced strong criticism of what he termed the council’s “cavalier attitude”. While conceding that live music could enrich the city’s cultural life, Bischoff argued the current approach seemed to prioritise commercial gain over the needs of Cardiff’s residents.
City officials, however, have pointed to the financial upside of such events. Councillor Thomas explained that revenue generated through Blackweir Live would be channelled towards the maintenance of both community parks and grassroots music venues, emphasising that these returns were vital given the fiscal pressures the council faces. He added that the city was also investing in expanding its cultural infrastructure, including a new indoor arena in Cardiff Bay, in hopes of establishing the Welsh capital as a global “music city”.
Despite these reassurances, significant concerns remain. The events are now licensed for audiences of up to 35,000 people and are permitted under strict conditions, but residents questioned the impact of such crowds, particularly regarding noise, the loss of public access during set-up and breakdown periods, and the risk to local habitats. Ashley Martin, Treasurer of Friends of Bute Park, accused the council of putting “short-term gain” ahead of community interest, claiming that the influx of non-local audiences would disrupt daily life and curtail access to sports and leisure facilities.
Among the most contentious issues discussed was the felling of trees within Bute Park, reportedly to improve access for concert infrastructure. Melissa Boothman, proprietor of the Secret Garden Café, challenged the council’s environmental credentials, stating, “Protecting this woodland can itself be a draw for visitors; cutting down trees sends the wrong message given the declaration of a climate emergency in 2019.”
Boothman stressed that many local people support the idea of events raising money for park upkeep, but called for a more balanced and transparent approach where the proceeds are demonstrably reinvested into the parkland. She remarked, “We all know money is needed to sustain these spaces, but local voices are not being heard in these decisions.”
The meeting concluded with a call for a formal review of the policy on major events at Blackweir Fields, involving community representatives and advocacy groups concerned with the park’s future. Councillor Thomas agreed to such a review, stating, “We want to get this right, and if there are problems, we’re prepared to adapt and learn.”
As Cardiff prepares for a summer of headline performances, the question remains as to whether the city can strike a fair balance between economic benefit, cultural vibrancy, and the safeguarding of its public green spaces—a dilemma that will undoubtedly shape the future character of Bute Park and the surrounding communities.