Latest news with #FranHealy
Scottish Sun
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Opening date revealed for new ‘world-class' 9,000-capacity music venue in Scots city
It is predicted that it'll bring £520million in for the city a year RAISE THE ROOF Opening date revealed for new 'world-class' 9,000-capacity music venue in Scots city Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE opening date for a new 8,500-capacity music venue in a Scots city has been revealed. We previously told how AEG submitted proposals for a site in the Edinburgh Park area back in November 2023. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 The opening date of the new Edinburgh venue has been announced Credit: Getty The firm behind London's iconic O2 Arena is now set to begin work on the venue early in 2026 after confirming funding has been secured. The venue, which will span a 200,000 sq ft site in the Edinburgh Park area, is due to open in March 2028, reports The Herald. And tickets for the first show are expected to go on sale by 2027 according to the £80million project's timeline. It will form part of the Capital's new "urban quarter" being developed in the Edinburgh Park region on the outskirts of the city. The firm has earmarked an area north of the Edinburgh Park tram stop and train station. Branded the Edinburgh Park Arena for the moment, event bosses are hoping to rename the building when a headline corporate sponsor is agreed. It has been predicted to bring in more than £520million for the city's economy year on year. AEG says they have had 'strong interest' in the naming rights for the arena, which is set to become 'one of the UK's most iconic venues" attracting huge names to Edinburgh. The project was approved by Edinburgh city council last year, is expected to attract around 700,000 visitors a year, and create 1300 new jobs once open. Until now, the largest indoor venues in the capital included the 3000-capacity Corn Exchange, while the Usher Hall can fit around 2900 if seats are removed. Travis frontman Fran Healy reveals how festival favourite was almost 'never written' The Royal Highland Centre can also accommodate around 9000 in their largest space, the Highland Hall. Alistair Wood, executive vice-president of real estate and development at AEG Europe, said: 'Securing planning permission last year allowed us to move ahead with our plans, from progressing design work to entering discussions with contractors and sub-contractors. 'We have funding in place, and now we're in the procurement phase. Once we have a final design, suppliers and contractors we'll break ground. We hope to begin construction early in 2026. 'We're excited to start the build process as soon as possible so that we can bring world-class acts to Edinburgh. "We're hoping that the new arena will open its doors during the first quarter of 2028, with fans able to purchase tickets to the first shows during 2027."
Scottish Sun
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Scots rock band pull out of festival headline slot amid pay dispute with promoters
The musicians have said that the move followed organisers "not fulfilling" contractual agreements to pay deposits HEADLINE BLOW Scots rock band pull out of festival headline slot amid pay dispute with promoters THE FRATELLIS have withdrawn from performing the headline slot at a Scottish festival this summer over a pay dispute. The Glasgow rockers were due to headline Back Doune the Rabbit Hole in August. Advertisement 3 Back Doune the Rabbit Hole has lost a headline act over a contract dispute 3 The Fratellis have pulled out citing unfulfilled contractual obligations Credit: Getty 3 The Glasgow band was due to headline the festival in August The musicians have said that the move followed organisers' "not fulfilling" contractual agreements to pay deposits. Back Doune the Rabbit Hole is one of four festivals that The Fratellis have pulled out of over such monetary matters. A statement on The Fratellis' website read: "Unfortunately, our planned Summer festival appearances at the recent Stone Valley South, and forthcoming Monument, Back Doune the Rabbit Hole and Lindisfarne Festival will not be going ahead. "This is due to promoters of each event not fulfilling our contractual obligations to pay deposits to confirm the band's appearance. Advertisement "Anyone who has purchased a ticket for these events should contact the agent or seller these have been purchased from for a full refund." Organisers of Back Doune the Rabbit Hole, held at Cardross Estate, Stirling, said The Fratellis were lined up through a third-party and their withdrawal was out of their control. The festival follows the demise of Doune the Rabbit Hole, which was mired in controversy. The 2023 event was axed after organisers owed £800,000 to artists and crews in 2022. Advertisement Trade union BECTU called for a boycott of the festival. In June 2023, it was reported that Doune the Rabbit Hole was on the brink of collapse and ticket sales had been suspended following a "campaign of misinformation". Travis frontman Fran Healy reveals how festival favourite was almost 'never written' Bosses later announced that it was cancelled, one month before musicians and fans were due to attend. An update from festival organisers said: "We're sorry to confirm that The Fratellis will no longer be performing at Back Doune the Rabbit Hole. Advertisement "Their appearance was arranged through a third-party promoter, and unfortunately, due to circumstances outside of our control, the booking has not been fulfilled. Like many of you, we're incredibly disappointed by how this has unfolded. "We know how much people were looking forward to their set, and we completely understand the frustration. We're working hard behind the scenes to secure a brilliant replacement and will be announcing your new Saturday night headliner very soon. "Thank you for your patience and continued support. We'll have have a further update for you shortly." The Fratellis, formed in 2005, have several other live dates coming up this summer. Advertisement They will perform at Glastonbury Festival and Canons Marsh Ampitheatre in Bristol this month, followed by Glasgow Green on July 9. They will also take to the stage at Slessor Gardens in Dundee on July 25. Back Doune the Rabbit Hole will take place between August 1 and 3, with Marc Almond and The Zutons the other headliners. Bay City Rollers, Scouting for Girls, The Feeling, Newton Faulkner, and Utah Saints will also perform.
Scottish Sun
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Legendary Scots band reveals how festival favourite was almost ‘never written'
It the hit song was inspired by a legendary US sitcom SONG SHOCK Legendary Scots band reveals how festival favourite was almost 'never written' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN iconic rocker has revealed that one of his biggest hits was almost "never written". Travis frontman Fran Healy, 51, opened up on the origins of 1999 festival favourite Driftwood. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Travis frontman Fran Healy performs at The Concert Hall in Toronto, Ontario Credit: Getty The red-headed singer told how the song was inspired by an episode of legendary US sitcom Cheers. However when he rushed upstairs to document the tune, the musician forgot to hit record on his device. He said online: "Driftwood almost didn't get written. I was washing the dishes, thinking about that TV show Cheers. "There was an episode where Norm was talking about overhearing the boss, talking about getting rid of all the driftwood. "I sung it out loud, just out of nowhere, while I was washing the dishes. "Ran upstairs to record it, but I actually accidentally pressed pause instead of record. "So when I came back to listen later on in the day, all I could hear was me walking away from the recorder. "And I sat for about an hour while this thing went through. "And you can hear me in the house, faffing around. And then eventually, just before the tape ends, I sing it as I'm walking up the stairs. "And had I not sung that tiny little, you know, driftwood little bit, it would be gone forever. And it's one of my favourite songs." Billy Joel Cancels Tour Amid Health Concerns: Fans React It comes weeks after Healy was rushed to hospital after suffering from a horror injury at a gig in the US. The singer was wheeled out of the venue on a stretcher after their show on Monday night. The iconic band were on their Raze The Bar North American Tour which kicked off in January. Travis were playing at the Showbox in Seattle, Washington, when Fran twisted his ankle stepping off stage while waving goodbye to the crowd.
The Independent
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Travis frontman shares update with fans after ‘gnarly' onstage injury
Travis frontman Fran Healy has updated fans after being taken to hospital following an accident onstage. The Scottish rock band, who are currently on tour in the US, had been performing at the Showbox in Seattle, Washington, when Healy twisted his ankle stepping off stage while saying goodbye to fans. In a video posted to the band's Instagram Stories, he said he was wheeled out of the venue on a gurney and taken to hospital in an ambulance. The musician, 51, said he feared he'd broken his ankle but it turned out to be a 'gnarly' sprain. 'If anyone saw me being wheeled out of the venue last night on a gurney and being put into an ambulance it's because I seriously twisted my ankle stepping off stage, as I was waving goodbye to everyone, it sort of twisted around back to front,' he said. 'We thought it was broken, went to hospital, thankfully it's just a really gnarly sprain.' Healy, who rose to fame with Travis thanks to hit songs such as 'Sing' and 'Flowers in the Window', said he'd been given 'one of those massive space shoes' to wear so fans at their next gigs could 'all laugh at that'. 'The show must go on, we'll see you there, we'll see you on the rest of the tour,' he said. 'I'm fine, I'm slightly dizzy just now because I'm on some painkillers but apart from that it's all good.' The Independent has contacted the band's representative for further comment. Healy stunned fans last year when he turned up for a surprise karaoke set to perform one of Travis's best-known songs, 'Why Does It Always Rain on Me'. The singer looked delighted as the audience sang along to the 1999 hit at The Horseshoe Bar in Glasgow, later sharing footage of the moment to his X/Twitter account. 'When in the Horseshoe Bar' after 9pm… and they put your song on…' he wrote in the caption. In 2021, the band celebrated the 20th anniversary of their album The Invisible Band, with Healy telling The Independent about the impact international fame had on him. 'Getting famous is like growing horns, something visible to others that you can't see,' he said. 'You've not changed, but I remember walking down the street and hearing the 's' of 'Travis' a lot – 'that's Travis!'' The band's US tour concludes with a return to Washington at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC on 19 February.
