Wednesday, August 10, 2022
A host of U.K. arena shows may be canceled next year to make room for Eurovision, with Elton John and André Rieu dates looking shaky as a result.
A number of British cities are bidding to host the 2023 competition, which will require a venue for six to eight weeks around April and May, reports the BBC. Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol and Belfast are all in the running.
John’s rescheduled Farewell Yellow Brick Road dates, which are set to take place in some of the potentially affected arenas, could be in jeopardy, as could shows by André Rieu. If venues must also be free in March and June, Don Broco, Celine Dion and Pet Shop Boys dates may likewise need to be axed or moved.
A venue shortlist will be announced on BBC Radio 2 Friday morning.
The U.K., which came in second in Eurovision this year, became next year’s host country after safety issues led officials to rule out the winner, war-torn Ukraine.