Future Secured - The future of the Isle of Wight Festival (IOWF) has been secured until 2033 after the renewal of its licence. The local environment and community protection committee has agreed terms on a seven-year extension to the land licence of the event at Seaclose Park. The extension will cover the period 2026 to 2033 and will include a "further three-year option" for an extension up to and including 2036.
The council officers' report said the festival, which has been held each year since 2002, has had a "major economic benefit to the Island". It added: "The event is estimated to be worth over £15m a year to the island economy and introduces a new demographic of visitors to the island, many of whom will then continue to return both as festival goers but also long-term visitors with their families and friends. A new long-term relationship will ensure that these plans will continue to be delivered and refreshed where necessary to ensure it continues to be a great event which benefits us all."
Olympian News - New York’s Shubert Organisation has partnered with Trafalgar Entertainment for 50% ownership and operation of the new 1,575-seat Olympia Theatre, marking the first time in 100 years the US company has had a UK presence. The Shubert Organisation – which owns 17 Broadway venues, making it the largest theatre owner in New York – previously ran the Waldorf Theatre in the West End, from 1905 to 1909. In 1926, the Shubert Organisation acquired an interest in six London theatres: the Adelphi, the Apollo, the Gaiety, His Majesty’s, the Shaftesbury, and the Winter Garden.
Shubert Organisation chairman and chief executive Robert E Wankel described the move as "an extraordinary opportunity for Shubert to be part of shaping the future of London’s cultural landscape".
The Olympia Theatre will be the largest new theatre to open in London since the National Theatre in 1976. It forms part of a £1.3bn redevelopment of exhibition venue Olympia in west London, with plans also including conference spaces, a music venue, hotels and offices, and a school.
Strike Averted - A musicians strike on Broadway has been averted after a “tentative” agreement was reached with trade body the Broadway League. Members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 recently voted to authorise a strike "if needed".
AFM Local 802 president Bob Suttmann said: “United in solidarity, Local 802 Broadway musicians are thrilled to announce that we reached a tentative agreement with the Broadway League that will avert a strike. This three-year agreement provides meaningful wage and health benefit increases that will preserve crucial access to healthcare for our musicians while maintaining the strong contract protections that empower musicians to build a steady career on Broadway.”
Pistols’ Art - An original Sex Pistols artwork that was printed in Aberdeen has returned home to the city to be part of a new exhibition. Jamie Reid – who died in 2023 aged 76 – was the artist behind the punk band's album covers and posters. He created his first image for the band at Peacock printmakers in Aberdeen in the 1970s. The venue is now hosting an exhibition of his work – including an original Sex Pistols flyer which was only tracked down in the past week.
Standon Down - A music festival has been held for the last time after the company behind it announced it had gone into liquidation. Standon Calling was first staged in the village of Standon, Hertfordshire nearly 20 years ago, attracting thousands of festivalgoers, but has not been held for the past two years. In an online post, organisers said: "We regret to announce that after 17 Standon Callings the 2023 Standon Calling will now prove to have been the last."
Farewell - Dave Ball, keyboardist with Soft Cell has died at the age of 66. The duo’s Tainted Love sold more than 21m copies across the world and was followed by hits such as Say Hello, Wave Goodbye and Torch, before the band split in 1984. Reunited in the 2000s, they had completed a new album in the days before Ball's death. In a statement, the musician's family said he had died peacefully in his sleep at his home in London on Wednesday 22 October. RIP.
(Jim Evans)