Promoter vows Derry gigs will go ahead

The promoter of the only weekend series of gigs taking place in Ebrington Square in Londonderry this summer has pledged they will go ahead as planned.

It comes after a number of events were called off or moved to other venues, resulting in frustration for music fans.

Stephen Doherty insists there must be a long-term strategy to promote the site if it is to attract top international stars.

He is planning a three-night music festival at the square at the end of August, culminating in a Back to the 80s show, featuring T’Pau and Nik Kershaw.

“The weekend we’ve planned for the bank holiday in August is definitely 100% going ahead," he said.

"There were five events planned initially [for summer], and we’re the only ones going ahead.

"I think it’s a wake-up call for everybody."

He has called for closer collaboration between the local council and the Executive Office (TEO), which owns the site, but also greater support from the public.

"Without local support, these events will not happen," he said.

"You can see already how many events are selling out in Belfast week after week.

"Everybody from Derry is leaving the city and going down there. We need them to stay."

He said promoters needed to be booking two or three years ahead to attract the big names.

"For next year we are already speaking to a worldwide superstar who has sold out Las Vegas, London, Manchester, and Dublin, but we need to act on it now because if we wait for another two or three months the act will be gone," he said.

New arrangements for events at Ebrington Square in 2024 came into effect in 2023 after a public dispute, when four concerts were called off, after permission was withdrawn by site owner TEO, following a threat of legal action by the newly-opened Ebrington Hotel.

The performances were then approved when the hotel management dropped their objection after a public backlash.

The council manages the application for promoters hoping to hold events in Ebrington and responsibility for event management remains with TEO.

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said it continued to work closely with TEO to provide support for large-scale events on the site.

Promoters must now provide the council with written confirmation of acts at least six months in advance.

Stephen Kelly, who helped bring Fatboy Slim to the city in October, said a £100,000 investment could turn the venue's fortunes around.

He told BBC News NI the funding would be spent on things such as marketing and potentially an initial subsidy to different promoters.

"What we need is a better system, and we need some money in place to make it easier for promoters to take a risk to actually go and sell tickets to bring people onto this site," he said.

“In terms of aesthetics and access, this is the best venue for an outdoor music event anywhere on these islands. It’s a crying shame that until now it’s not been able to really kick off.

"What’s needed is a plan, and what’s needed is investment, and what’s needed is confidence brought back into the industry," he said. "But there needed to be a unity of purpose."

"There are just people working independently; part of it is just the function of trying to get this space as an event venue—you go through a process involving government which is overly complex and probably not conducive to working together."

As custodians of the site, only TEO can give permission for events to take place.

A TEO spokesperson said: “The Department is working closely with Derry City and Strabane District Council and other stakeholders to develop a vibrant and inclusive year-round events programme for Ebrington.

“A series of community workshops have taken place recently to explore better ways of working together to realise the full potential of Ebrington."

Concerts and large events have been held in Ebrington Square since the former military parade ground was first opened to the public in 2012.

It has hosted some of the biggest music events ever held in Derry, including BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2013.

Thousands enjoyed that experience and have been calling for such large-scale events to continue.

Promoter Stephen Doherty said those big events could be recreated on Ebrington Square.

“2013 was One Big Weekend," he said.

"Just look at it. It just tells you what the city can do. We need to do that again."