Blog: Who should perform in the Quarry?
Tonight's a big night for Shrewsbury Quarry, with thousands of people set to attend the summer concert. But who should we have in the future?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UxU8s7Au0A
Now that's a showman. If that little performance doesn't put a smile on your face, then, frankly, nothing will.
True, the old boy probably isn't quite so light on his feet these days, but Sir Tom Jones, who turned 70 this week, still has that voice, and he still knows how to put on a show.
Which is why I think he would be a perfect choice to headline a concert in Shrewsbury Quarry.
Tonight the venue is given over to the stars of the 80s, and thousands of people will be bringing along their picnics for performances by Go West, ABC, Rick Astley, Tony Hadley, Howard Jones and Micha Paris. And now that the sound restrictions have been scrapped there's a fair chance that people might even be able to hear them as well. Which is nice.
As of yesterday, more than 6,000 tickets had been sold, but it's fair to say that there will be a few thousand more snapped up by the time the show starts. And that should be good news for Shrewsbury's pubs, bars and restaurants.
But there have been grumblings on Shropshirestar.com that this year's show is another 80s nostalgia fest, and many people have asked for current acts, not people who haven't troubled the charts for several years.
But the promoters are not stupid. They know that these artists will sell tickets and once again they've been proved right. If they could guarantee that modern acts, such as K'naan, Usher, Undertaker and Dyson DC22 Wood and Wool Vacuum Cleaner could draw in enough people, I'm sure they'd be happy to bring them to Shrewsbury.
The trouble is, the Quarry probably isn't big enough for the guaranteed big sellers such as Kylie, the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen, and other modern acts wouldn't sell enough tickets.
However, you could probably get the likes of the Scissor Sisters in without too much trouble. Or what about Crowded House?
Or perhaps a compromise is needed: young and hip repeat chart botherer supporting an experienced old hand.
So, who would you have? Let us know in the comment box below.
