In 2017, Bristol will have its very own entertainment arena. While Colston Hall and the O2 Academy have long been host to some of Britain’s best musicians and performers, the new 12,000 capacity Bristol Arena means the city will now be able to compete with the likes of Cardiff and Birmingham for drawing in huge audiences and the biggest bands.
Details of Populous’ winning design were announced earlier this year, following a selection process conducted by the Royal Institute of British Architects. With private companies now bidding to operate the arena, Bristol’s dream of an arena to call its own seems closer to reality than ever before.
This is thanks, in part, to Bristol Mayor George Ferguson. An enthusiastic campaigner for the local arts scene, he’s worked to secure funds for the project since his election in November 2012. Although it’s been estimated the arena will cost £91 million, Ferguson insists the vision is worthwhile, helping Bristol to stand out as a cultural hotspot while boosting the region’s economy.
A quick amble down Feeder Road in the direction of Temple Meads towards the arena’s Temple Quarter location reveals that building work is well underway. So, what impact is the arena likely to have on the local music scene – for both fans and Bristol’s word wranglers and performers?
No more late night drives up the M5
ALI MAC 55, Flickr
It’s all fun and games on the way there, but a bleary-eyed journey home punctuated only by cups of stale service-station coffee isn’t nearly as much fun. Soon, it will be as simple as jumping on a bus!
This is what #BristolArena will look like. Nice to have right around the corner! http://t.co/iKrdKxlrsr #design pic.twitter.com/NMtPydLwIZ
— Matthew Fairweather (@M_F_Design) March 18, 2015
Local musicians have something to aim for – and it’s big
Bristol has loads of amazing venues – and plenty of home-grown talent too. Even so, artists can only perform to crowds of 2,000 at the moment.
When it's finished, Bristol Arena will be able to hold 12,000. How’s that as a goal for artists? Even Great George – the Wills Memorial Building bell – wants in.
Wonder if I'll ever get the opportunity to play the #BristolArena when it comes?
— Great George (@GreatGeorgeWMB) April 24, 2015
Finally, we have a chance of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest
European Parliament, Flickr
Or, you know, watch it on a really big screen. What, with Bristol's recent, albeit failed bid for the World Cup, perhaps this isn't such a tall order. Of course, England would have to win Eurovision for this to be a possibility...
Can't wait to see this sign at #Bristol arena @GeorgeFergusonx @BristolCouncil @BBCBristol - if we win in/after 2017 pic.twitter.com/Nr7hyUYXZg
— Ben Royston (@bbroyston) May 11, 2015
But most of all? We deserve it
Bristol has (probably) the best music scene in the UK, and until now has been the only large city in the UK without an arena. Now we've got the tools to prove it!
#Bristol has a gr8 #music scene,now developing a gr8 venue to match! Bristol Arena - http://t.co/OpoES7VLx1 @GeorgeFergusonx
— Rob Porter (@Robbo375) April 4, 2015
Bristol's music scene is clearly going to get a massive boost. Find out why the city's art scene is buzzing too.