Pink kicks off European tour in Cologne

AMERICAN superstar Pink, who is set to rock Thomond Park to its very foundations in less than three weeks, kicked off her brand new concert tour with a stunning performance in Cologne, Germany last Saturday night.
Pink – real name Alecia Beth Moore – kicked off her new ‘Funhouse Summer Carnival’ European tour in jaw-dropping fashion, employing a 70-foot crane, trapeze wires, and amazing special effects throughout the show.



The audacious star is set to bring this full-scale production to Thomond Park on Sunday, June 20, and we can reveal that Limerick is set for a show of epic proportions. 52,000 people crammed into the RheinEnergie Stadion in Cologne for the show, which the self-styled rock chick was performing for the first time in front of a live audience.
A complete sell-out, the audience were treated to a dazzling performance from the athletic star, who is a trained trapeze artist, and performed several stunts without any back-up wires, including flying over the audience’s head.
The Pennsylvania-born performer, who has sold a massive 30 million albums worldwide, revealed to the Limerick Leader backstage before the show that she is really looking forward to coming to Ireland, and particularly to Limerick, where she will perform for the first time.

“I’m glad you are all here, thank you for coming, the show is going to be fun, say lots of prayers,” laughed the singer.
Of the show, which she revealed had caused her to suffer several bumps and bruises in rehearsals, she said: “You’ve got to make it bigger and bolder and brasher or what’s the point?” The production features a massive set and over 100 people working behind the scenes. While conceived by Pink, the show is being directed by Irishman Baz Halpin, and tour coordinator Bill Comstock Buntain told the Chronicle that the star has a “special relationship” with Ireland.
“Pink did her first ever big arena show in Ireland, so she has a special relationship with the country,” he said. “We have never been to Limerick, so we are all looking forward to going,” he added.

Peter Aiken, of Aiken Promotions, said “people will not believe how good she is” when they see her in Thomond Park.
“Within five songs people will be convinced, it is a spectacular show, people won't believe it,” he added.
A limited number of tickets remain for the Thomond Park show on June 20, which the promoters believe will be a sell-out.

Bob Dylan to play Thomond Park on July 4

THE LIMERICK Leader can exclusively reveal that the legendary Bob Dylan is to play in Thomond Park this July 4.
It will be the only date that Dylan will play in Ireland this summer and tickets are to go on sale this coming Monday.
Speaking exclusively to the Limerick Leader this Wednesday afternoon, promoter Peter Aiken said securing Dylan's services for a large outdoor summer show was "massive", but said the concert was going to be "all about the music".

"It is going to be big, but it is going to be about the music - people will come from all over to see him," said Peter.The promoter also confirmed that up to four other acts are going to share the bill with Dylan, with doors opening on the day at 2pm.

"We are going to have another four acts on the same day, it will be a really good day of good music - three of the acts will be very well-known, household names and people should be very impressed with what we are going to do," said Mr Aiken.

Dylan is the second act announced for Thomond Park this summer, with pop star Pink set to perform in June.

Tickets go on sale Monday morning and cost €81.25, €70.70 & €60.00 seated & €65.70 general admission.

For more of this interview with Peter Aiken see this weekend's Limerick Leader.

Pink to play in Thomond Park next June

THE LIMERICK Leader can exclusively reveal that American superstar singer Pink is to play in Thomond Park in June of next year.
Pink - real name Alecia Beth Moore - has sold in the region of 30 million albums worldwide and is the first act to be confirmed for next summer’s gigs in the €40m stadium.
The American singer will bring her theatrical ‘Funhouse Summer Carnival’ show to Limerick’s Thomond Park on Saturday, June 20 2010.
Aiken Promotions confirmed to the Limerick Leader that the self styled rock chick will perform a huge outdoor show in Thomond Park next June, and while a spokesperson denied that there were other acts already booked for next summer, the Limerick Leader understands that up to four dates have been provisionally booked in the stadium, which memorably played host to Elton John and Rod Stewart this year.
Pink will play three open air shows in Ireland next summer, with shows at Belfast’s King’s Hall Complex and Dublin’s RDS preceding the Thomond Park gigs. T
he news will come as a considerable boost to the local economy, as a recent survey conducted by BDO Simpson Xavier on behalf of Munster Rugby determined that the Elton John concert generated €9.9 million for the local economy, with 13 local hotels reporting 100 per cent occupancy. It is believed that the Rod Stewart concert had a similar impact.
While Aiken and Thomond Park undoubtedly played safe with the first series of gigs, they are aiming for a younger market with the selection of Pink, who has sold a massive number of tickets worldwide, including 58 sold out arena shows in Australia and several sold out shows in Ireland this year.
The Pennsylvania-born performer released her first album “Can't Take Me Home” in 2000, while 2002’s follow-up Missundaztood sold an estimated 13 million copies worldwide. Her present album “Funhouse” has also clocked up massive sales around the world, with lead single “So What” taking Pink to her first Billboard number one American chart success.
Tickets for the concert will go on sale from Ticketmaster outlets and Empire Music on O’Connell Street next Friday, October 23, at 9am.
General admission tickets will be priced at €58.30, while seated tickets will be available for €63.20.