Regina concert fans eager for more shows
Last Updated: Thursday, July 29, 2010 | 5:36 PM CST
CBC News
Bon Jovi performed at Mosaic Stadium in Regina Wednesday night. (Courtesy concert organizers)Music fans in Regina say they are keen for more big-name concerts, following a successful show at Mosaic Stadium Wednesday night by Bon Jovi.
"Definitely Springsteen," one concert-goer suggested.
"U2. That would be awesome," enthused another.
In recent years, Regina has been a destination for The Rolling Stones and AC-DC tours.
Opinion varies, however on what constitutes a major show.
"I'm just tired of seeing ZZ Top, Aerosmith and AC-DC," CBC News was told after the Bon Jovi show. "It's always the same rock. It's needs to be more like Paul McCartney."
A more common suggestion, however was U2.
"I saw them in Calgary six years ago and I'd like to see them come to Regina," said one fan. "They're a pretty big band I think."
Local concert organizers told CBC News Thursday that booking major acts, this deep into the tour season, is unlikely.
"The U2 tour is pretty much routed and scheduled so we don't expect to be in on that," Neil Donnelly, a spokesman for Evraz Place, said. "But there are a few discussions about some of the bigger acts touring next summer and we hope to be a part of those discussions."
Donnelly says the Regina market is big enough to support more than one major show per year.
The challenge, he said, is finding two such acts.
"There are just not that many out there," Donnelly said of the caliber of act necessary to produce a sell-out. "Maybe one or two tours a year. So getting on one is a pretty good step for us right now."
An estimated 30,000 people attended the Bon Jovi show with about one-third of those coming from out-of-town.
Regina concert-goers also suggested the city could benefit if a proposed new stadium goes ahead.
"I don't think we can do two a year," noted one fan. "Not with the facilities we have. Maybe a new stadium they're talking about but now, no."
Last spring, provincial government officials said a decision on a new stadium might be made by early June.
Now, as the end of July nears, the minister looking after the file says he is waiting to see what role the federal government is willing to play.
"We're just taking it one step at a time," Ken Cheveldayoff told CBC News Thursday. "We're hoping that the federal government sees its way to become a full partner in this project."
He added word could come in August.
