Irish Rockers The Script planned for Blackpool Lights Switch-On
3 July 2013
by Visit Blackpool
Irish rock band The Script will headline at Blackpool’s new Illuminations Switch-On weekend.
VisitBlackpool is delighted to announce the headliners for what is Blackpool’s biggest event of the year – which this year takes place on Friday 30 August.
And singer-songwriter Eliza Doolittle will be the special guest.
The Script’s frontman Danny O’Donoghue is fast becoming a household name after winning series two of the BBC’s The Voice just over a week ago with singer Andrea Begley.
Since they released their first album five years ago, The Script’s success has gone global.
The 2012 album release #3 has sold one million copies worldwide and four million singles. UK and Ireland number one hit Hall of Fame is double platinum in the US and platinum in the UK and the band have sold one million US albums
And to top it the #3 world tour, which the band are currently on, includes 52 arenas and 14 festival dates.
Speaking about their headlining Blackpool appearance, singer Danny said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen to perform at Blackpool’s 101st Illuminations Switch-On event. The Lights are synonymous with Blackpool and all that people love about the town.
“We love to perform live and to get the opportunity to play at such a unique outdoor venue, on the edge of the Irish Sea, is a fantastic opportunity for us and one that we are really looking forward to.”
And Eliza, who shot to fame with hits Skinny Genes and Pack Up back in 2010, said she is delighted to be heading to Blackpool.
Eliza said: “I can’t wait to come to Blackpool to be part of such a great night.”
In a break from tradition, the Switch-On party will continue into Saturday 31 as not just one, but two days of celebrations are planned with a second concert.
Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Marketing Blackpool, said: “We are delighted to be announcing The Script as our headline act for the 2013 Switch-On weekend.
“Their popularity is immense and they have a really wide appeal so we hope to see many families enjoying Blackpool’s biggest night of the year.”
This year marks a big change to the format for Blackpool’s Switch-On event and for the first time the resort is hosting a weekend of concerts on Friday and Saturday to fully utilise the unique venue of The Tower Festival Headland.
The change means this is now a paid-for event with tickets available on general sale from 9am on Friday (5 July).
Ms Wyatt added: “We have been making changes to the Switch-On event for the last couple of years. We stated in 2012 that it was our intention to charge for tickets after the centenary event and to do this we have created something completely different to what we have delivered in the past.
“As a means to encourage overnight stays we have programmed a weekend event providing two days of live entertainment.
“In the past we have been unable to announce the line-up until a couple of weeks before the event, which from a marketing perspective is not ideal.
“We now have a full concert with a headline act, rather than a selection of singers and bands performing a couple of songs each.”
Details of who will be flicking the all important Switch-On switch and who will be performing on Saturday 31 August at the Switch-On weekend will be revealed soon.
Tickets for The Script go on sale from 9am Friday July 5 from VisitBlackpool Tourist Information Centre, See Tickets, Ticketmaster and GigsandTours.
Tickets are priced £34 (plus fees).
For more information go to
www.seetickets.com
www.ticketmaster.com
www.gigsandtours.com
www.visitblackpool.com
VIP Packages priced at £75 (plus fees) are available by calling 01253 478209.
You can also register for updates at www.visitblackpool.com/switchon