Kings of Leon Concert Tickets on Sale Amid Unapproved Venue Licence

Pre-sale tickets for a Kings of Leon concert in Cardiff have become available, even though the necessary licensing for the venue has not yet received approval. Blackweir Fields, which forms an extension of Bute Park, is slated to host music events during the upcoming summer season. While Bute Park currently holds a licence permitting events with a capacity of 25,000 attendees, plans are in place to expand this capacity to 35,000. Securing a new licence from the local authority is a prerequisite, which Cardiff Council has stated will guarantee the venue operates “in line with all legal requirements”. Over the last two years, Cuffe and Taylor, in collaboration with Cardiff-based DEPOT Live, have organized several live music events at Cardiff Castle. The partnership aims for Blackweir Live to launch in 2025, featuring four headline performances, including a Kings of Leon concert scheduled for June 29. Although pre-sale tickets for the concert are available, the licensing application required to accommodate thousands of additional spectators at the well-known park remains unapproved. The proposed increase in capacity for the Blackweir Live events necessitates the submission of a new licence application. While most of Bute Park will remain open to the public, access to Blackweir Fields will be limited during the event itself and for a short duration before and after. Cardiff Council stated that the event is expected to help “cement Cardiff’s status” as a premier destination for major artists. The council further noted that initiating ticket sales prior to the finalization of licensing arrangements is considered “common practice”. According to Cardiff Council, particular attention is being given to safeguarding the cricket squares located on Blackweir Fields from potential damage. The council also mentioned that the technology deployed at Blackweir would mirror that utilized at prominent cricket venues like Old Trafford when hosting events.