Edinburgh Corn Exchange has been given a new lease of life after Academy Music Group (AMG) acquired the building to re-brand it as the O2 Academy Edinburgh.
The Corn Exchange was built in 1909 and has hosted global superstars such as Blur, Oasis, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters and Scottish DJ Calvin Harris.
The venue has a capacity of 3,000 and will host numerous shows this year now that the live entertainment sector is growing in strength and allowed to operate fully, following closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AMG has also already invested in new in-house sound and lighting production facilities, in time for Declan McKenna’s show on September 3. Other upcoming shows include Chic and Nile Rodgers on September 21, Rag’n’Bone Man on October 26 and Jake Bugg on March 21, 2022.
Chief operating officer Graham Walters said: “The Corn Exchange had moved more towards the corporate and non-music side of things over the years. The former owners didn’t have the knowledge or expertise of the music industry that we have.
“There will still be a mix of events, but we will be focusing on the amount of live music there because that’s in our DNA. We absolutely except, with our connections with all of the UK’S major promoters and agents, that we’ll be bringing new acts to the city that would potentially have bypassed the city previously.”
Walters added: “Edinburgh has a great heritage of culture and music. It’s always been on our radar, but trying to find venues of the right capacity, in the right location, is a challenge.
“When this opportunity came up it was a no-brainer. Although it didn’t have a huge number of gigs, it was held in very high esteem by promoters, agents and bands. We already have a lot of heritage and listed buildings. It’s a great size and big enough to pick up acts on tours of the UK. It just ticked every box.”
When contacted for comment by TheTicketingBusiness.com earlier in August, Live Nation Entertainment said at the time the company was only promoting shows at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange.
AMG and Live Nation Entertainment have a long-term strategic partnership with O2 that commenced some 12 years ago.
Edinburgh Corn Exchange will become O2 Academy Edinburgh from tomorrow (Wednesday).
Image: Richard Webb/CC BY-SA 2.0/Edited for size
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