The strength of feeling behind the City of Culture 2029 bid was on full display last weekend, when over 2,500 people packed into Blackpool Opera House for The People’s Stage – a free, star-studded concert celebrating David Bowie and Blackpool’s cultural ambition.
Brit Award-winner KT Tunstall, Jack Savoretti and the Hallé Orchestra headlined a line-up that also included Tom Burke, members of James, The Stone Roses and The Courteneers, plus homegrown talent Little Boots and Rae Morris, all performing orchestral reworkings of Bowie’s greatest hits under Musical Director Joe Duddell. The night closed with a rousing rendition of Heroes and a standing ovation.
Over 10,000 people applied for tickets to the free event, a clear sign of local appetite for culture – and support for the City of Culture bid.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said the evening was “a celebration of who we are,” adding that the bid “is about creating opportunities for local people, inspiring the next generation and giving Blackpool the national recognition it deserves.”
The People’s Stage was presented by Blackpool Council with Showtown, in partnership with Elite Competitions and support from Glasdon.
Click here to back the bid for Blackpool as UK City of Culture 2029.
Images by Martin Bostock Photography.