Emirates rock concerts go-ahead

ALL-DAY rock concerts at the Emirates Stadium could become an annual event after May's controversial Bruce Springsteen gigs were judged a success by Islington Council.

Arsenal have been granted permission for up to three massive music events a year at the 60,000 capacity stadium, in Ashburton Grove, Holloway - with gigs allowed to start as early as 2.30pm.

Councillor Stefan Kasprzyk, chairman of a town hall licensing panel, said: "The committee noted that the applicants request for flexibility in the hours of operation for future concerts.

"The impact of noise is much less before 9pm and concerns of residents could be met if concerts were held earlier in the day."

The Gazette has revealed how Arsenal want to host big money boxing fights at the stadium and that another music concert is likely to be staged as early as next year.

In a letter to shareholders Ken Friar, Arsenal's acting managing director, said: "The two Bruce Springsteen concerts were a huge success and there is a possibility that another music act will perform at Emirates Stadium in 2009."

The concerts are part of a package of six non-football events a year allowed to be held at the Emirates and could only be held between the end of the Premiership football season in May and the laying of a new pitch three weeks later.

The Springsteen gigs - the first-ever staged at the Emirates - sparked a wave of opposition over noise but a 75db volume limit and 10.30pm curfew saw many residents later drop their objections.

An Islington Council report on the gigs stated: "The licensing conditions were met, including the noise conditions, and the informal feedback from residents has been that it was less intrusive than feared. All services and transport providers were satisfied with the operation of the events."

The council received 76 noise complaints during the two concerts and 18 letters of complaint after the events.