BACK ON SONG
SAFC chief’s pledge that stadium gigs will return next year
The Stadium of Light will host summer music concerts next year, Charlie Methven has confirmed.
Sunderland’s Executive Director says the events will be a financial boost for the club and has hailed the work of Managing Director Tony Davison in securing ‘at least two’ dates.
Davison was appointed to the role shortly after Methven and Chairman Stewart Donald took control of the club.
“We were late in the game when Tony [Davison] came in because by that point most things had been booked up,” Methven said.
“Really from the moment his feet in the ground, he was on the case, going around his contracts to find gaps where we could do something.
“I’m happy to say that as with almost everything since he came in, it looks to have paid off.
“It looks like we’re going to have at least two concerts next summer.”
Sunderland hosted a number of high-profile concerts between 2009 and 2016, bringing the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay and Oasis.
However, there have been no concerts since Beyonce’s performance in 2016.
The club confirmed earlier this year that it had turned down the chance to host the Rolling Stones.
The new regime has quickly reversed that policy, and Methven is confident that the club will benefit.
“The club looked after it themselves [in the past], whereas I think we’d be looking to work with a promoter and say, you need to guarantee us a certain amount of money.
“I can see why in the Premier League you’d take a view that £350, 400k from a concert isn’t much when you consider the TV money.
“I think it’s the wrong attitude completely but I understand it.
“For us, where are now, it is a big difference.”
Earlier this summer, Methven opened up on his determination to bring the concerts back in an interview with fanzine A Love Supreme.
“We are absolutely intent on bringing the concerts back,” he said.
“It’s part of the programme that has to re-engage Sunderland with its community and making the Stadium of Light the centre of that.
“What Bob Murray intended was for the SoL to be a beacon, a sort of symbol of hope, and that great things that can happen in Sunderland.
“Of course, that’s mostly football, but the reality is the Stadium gets used for football 30 times a year.
“It’s an amazing facility. Why would you only use it 30 times a year?”
Sunderland AFC players have given their backing to teenage singer Molly Scott as she gears up for her second live performance on the X Factor.
SAFC midfielder Max Power, along with captain and fellow midfielder George Honeyman, showed their support for the 16-year-old in a video shared on the club’s Twitter account.
In it, the pair said the club was rooting for the Easington star to win the competition.
Power said: “Molly, congratulations on making it to the live shows.
Honeyman added: “Good luck Molly, from everyone here at Sunderland.”
Their backing is the latest in a wave of support Molly has received since appearing on the ITV show.
On a brief visit home this week, the young performer said she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the amount of support from the likes of local businesses and people in the region, with many putting up ‘Vote For Molly’ posters.
On Monday, the singer even stopped by her former dance school, Nadine’s Academy of Dance and Performing Arts in Hartlepool, to see her friends.
She met with teacher Nadine Kennedy Wood and fellow dancers to fill them in on her incredible experience.
In a Tweet this week Molly said: “I am so grateful for all your love and support!
“Please please vote for me on a landline or mobile and add 04 to vote for me.”