The Live At the Marquee concerts organised by Aiken Promotions in Cork over the next three weeks could inject up to €10 million into the local economy, it has been suggested.
Promoter Peter Aiken has confirmed that more than 50,000 of the 60,000 tickets have already been sold with about half the sales outside Cork, resulting in an influx into the city of some 25,000 music fans.
"We had 50,000 people at a concert we ran with Elton John and Billy Joel in Croke Park five years ago and the benefit to the local economy was put at €5 million," he said yesterday. "Five years on, I would estimate the benefit could be €8-10 million."
The concerts, which start tonight with former Beach Boy Brian Wilson, have the backing of Cork 2005. Capital of Culture director John Kennedy was also predicting a major financial boost to the local economy.
The concerts will also include performances by Diana Ross, Dwight Yoakam, Al Green, Van Morrison and Nick Cave.
The new Lord Mayor of Cork Deirdre Clune said the specially constructed marquee was a superb venue. The concerts continue until July 17th at the Showgrounds in Ballintemple.
