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Boucher Road Playing Fields to stop hosting music events

Mark SimpsonCommunity correspondent, BBC News NI
News imageBBC A picture taken from the crowd of three screens showing Bruce Springsteen playing on stage. Springsteen has short grey hair and is singing into a mic, he is wearing a white shirt, black tie and waist coat.BBC
The Boss rocked the Boucher Road Playing Fields in 2024

Belfast is set to lose its biggest outdoor concert venue.

Boucher Road Playing Fields has hosted gigs in recent years by Bruce Springsteen, Fontaines DC and Snow Patrol.

Sinn Féin has said the land, owned by Belfast City Council, is to return to sports pitches and "community use".

The plan will go before councillors next week for ratification.

News imagePacemaker Image of the Vital stage set up at Boucher Road Playing Fields, a man working is riding his bike passed the stage. He has a hi vis jacket on. The stage is metal and has a sign reading VITAL on the top of the stage. Pacemaker
Boucher Road Playing Fields hosted music concerts like Vital

The playing fields, in the south of the city, can stage concerts for up to 40,000 people.

The change of use is not expected to begin until 2028 but that has not been confirmed.

'Short-sighted and will be opposed'

News imageMickey is smiling at the camera. He is standing in one of the corridors of Belfast City Hall. He has black hair and a beard and is wearing a black jumper with a hood.
Former Lord Mayor Micky Murray does not support the decision

The Alliance Party has criticised the decision to end large-scale concerts at Boucher Playing Fields.

The party's former Lord Mayor Micky Murray called the move "short-sighted".

He said he hoped other parties would also oppose the plan at Monday night's full meeting of the 60-member council.

"It's the biggest music venue which we have in the city. It's important for attracting international artists," he said.

It is believed there were concerns from some parties within the council about the move, given the implications for the staging of large outdoor concerts in the city.

A report by council officers stated: "Members are asked to note those types of large-scale events bring a range of benefits to the city including direct income to the council, circa £300k a year including a social levy."

Aiken promotions which has been responsible for staging gigs at the Belfast venue said the move "marks the end of an era".

Peter Aiken described the news as "disappointing" and said it "highlights the ongoing need for a suitable large‑scale venue in Belfast".

'Delighted'

Sinn Féin councillor Natasha Brennan said the venue will "soon be home to two full-size GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) pitches and one intermediate soccer pitch".

She said this will bring "significant benefits to hundreds of young players and clubs".

"While in the past the site has been used for large-scale events, it will now return to community use as playing fields," said Brennan.

"The decision will be formally ratified at a full meeting of the council on Monday.

"I'm delighted that the playing fields will now return to their original purpose, alleviating significant issues faced by local residents during concert season as well as supporting local clubs."

In the past Boucher has been home to gigs by Bruce Springsteen, Liam Gallagher, Noah Kahan, Sam Fender, Fatboy Slim, Fontaines D.C. and Irish rap group Kneecap.