17 October 2006
Eastbourne Bandstand enjoyed a successful summer this year with a 30% increase on ticket sales and a new programme of tribute nights proving the biggest hit of the season.
Producing a quarter share of the total bandstand audience, the weekly tribute nights increased Friday night audiences by over 150% alone. Abba Forever brought in the busiest night of the season, while other tribute acts also entertained audiences, performing hits from the likes of Robbie Williams, Freddie Mercury and Tom Jones.
Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Councillor David Elkin said “I am delighted with the success of this years concert programme, it is wonderful to see new audiences joining our regulars at the bandstand, with families dancing along from young kids right through to Grandma. It really is important that as a major outdoor entertainment venue we provide music for a wide range of people in a safe setting, as well as providing a programme which helps the venue to become self sufficient for the future.”
With tribute nights proving to be the biggest hit, fireworks and pyrotechnics were a winner too with Wednesday’s 1812 firework concerts being the next most popular, followed by Sunday Night on the Proms, which this year enjoyed a new pyrotechnics show in front of the stage. Rock n Roll, Big Band and Gilbert and Sullivan nights also added to the programme as well as traditional silver and brass band concerts in the afternoons.
Screens were trialled during the season for health and safety reasons and to prevent ‘free viewing’, a common complaint from the paying audience. Following feedback from audiences, screening will in future only be used when required for health and safety reasons at larger evening events. The metal and canvas screens have also been replaced by attractive wooden screens on wheels, placed on middle tier entrances only, meaning the screens can be wheeled away at the end of the performance.
The bandstand although now closed for the season still has a couple of free events to run: Produce on the Prom and Feastbourne fireworks on 21 October and the return of the popular festive concerts on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
