By Jonathan BarnesROCK band Bon Jovi and singer-songwriter Neil Diamond are believed to be among the acts being lined up for shows at Ipswich Town next summer.
By Jonathan Barnes
ROCK band Bon Jovi and singer-songwriter Neil Diamond are believed to be among the acts being lined up for shows at Ipswich Town next summer.
The football club is close to securing a second major artist to perform at its Portman Road ground after tying up a deal with U.S. rock group R.E.M. for a show on July 8.
They also hope to secure a third major act to complete a series of summer concerts in front of 28,000-strong crowds.
Ipswich Town chief executive, Derek Bowden, said last week the club expected to announce a second show in the near future.
He described the prospective artist as “a legend” who would appeal to a different set of fans to R.E.M.
Ipswich Town has refused to comment on who will be playing the two other summer concerts, but Diamond would fit the bill. Club officials are also thought to have been in talks with Bon Jovi.
Live music returned to Portman Road for the first time in 12 years last summer with a concert by Sir Elton John.
Mr Bowden said the club hoped to build on the success of that event and make Portman Road the number one venue for live music in Suffolk.
Diamond has not played live this year, but will be heading out on the road next year, starting with dates in Australia and New Zealand in March.
He has achieved great success, both as a solo artist and a songwriter for others, with hits including Sweet Caroline, Cracklin' Rosie and Beautiful Noise. He wrote the huge 1966 hit I'm A Believer for The Monkees.
Bon Jovi have also not played live this year, but are believed to be lining up a major tour.
The band - fronted by Jon Bon Jovi - have scored a string of hit singles and albums since the early 1980s and are best known for hits such as Livin' On A Prayer, Always, Wanted Dead Or Alive and It's My Life.
n Tickets for the R.E.M.'s Portman Road concert are on sale now, priced from £35, £40 and £45 (plus booking fee).
They can be bought by telephone on 0870 143 2204 or 0870 145 1114 or online at www.seetickets.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
jonathan.barnes@eadt.co.uk
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