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No more Dome and gloom as 10 million visit the O2
Benedict Moore-Bridger7 Oct 2008
The 10 millionth visitor will walk through the O2 Arena this week, comfortably eclipsing the figures achieved by the venue when it was the Millennium Dome.
Since opening in June last year, the 23,000-capacity O2 has featured almost 500 acts, including Prince, Kylie Minogue, Led Zeppelin and the Spice Girls.
As host for the Millennium exhibition, the Greenwich site attracted six million visitors. But following a £600 million refit it has established itself as one of the world's most popular music venues.
As well as the main arena, the O2 takes in the smaller IndigO2 venue and O2 Bubble, the recently opened Matter nightclub, 26 bars and restaurants and an 11-screen cinema. Attractions this month include Stevie Wonder, Lee Evans, an NBA basketball game and Gunther von Hagen's Body Worlds exhibition. The site, now run by Anschutz Entertainment Group, has become the highest-grossing music venue in the world. Some 20 million people are reported to have tried to buy tickets for the recent Led Zeppelin reunion concert.
Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones has said: "It is probably the best indoor gig there is. I've only played there for three shows. But it's such an easy room to play to the crowd - it has great sound and it's on my river."
David Campbell, chief executive of AEG Europe, said: "The O2 aims to be one of the world's most dynamic venues, bringing in the very best music, sport and entertainment."
He said Prince's 21-night residency last summer was a highlight. Forthcoming acts include Queen, Elton John, Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Barry Manilow, and five nights of Tina Turner.
Next year the Arena will see its first classical concert, Carmina Burana, as well as the launch of the British Music Experience, a permanent music exhibition.
The O2 is also a venue for the 2012 Olympics and will host the gymnastic and basketball events.
Reader views (6)
The reason the Millenioum Dome did not do well was because of the media, and people without minds of their own jumping on the band wagon to slate it.
There were some excellent exhibits at the Dome, i.e. the Talk Zone, the Journey Zone, the show was exquisite.
Also trouble is not spelt truble, Pinnochio was mispelt and as a name p should have been a capital letter, there should have been a comma after they and Pinnochio and as Melvyn was talking about politicians in plural, it should have been noses rather than nose.
- E Sullivan, London, 09/10/2008 09:06
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Whoever funded it, has any money at all been recouped or was it written off?
Lottery money is public money just as much as tax is!
- Brian Slack, Hemel Hempstead, England, 08/10/2008 10:39
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The Dome was actually funded from the National Lottery, no tax payers money was used.
- James, London, 07/10/2008 16:43
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The O2 is a supurb venue and has a wide choice of restaurants to choose from which is something that Wembley Areana with its hot dogs and paper cup coffee has much to learn from.
Anyone with common sense could see its current use was the only long term option truble was politians got involved and they live in a dream world so they like pinnocio cant see beyond the end of their nose.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 07/10/2008 14:54
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So how much have the taxpayers who stumped up £750million for this building been repaid from its current success?
- Keith, King's Cross, 07/10/2008 13:38
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The Dome was always a superb building but the Millennium Exhibition was seriously let down by the contents, which were mostly drivel. The O2 Arena is a fine venue for concerts, although like any other place, how good it is depends on how close you are to the stage. If you're right at the back you may as well be at Earls' Court.
- Royston, london uk, 07/10/2008 13:23
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