Music company Live Nation announced that London's Olympic Stadium will "host major music concerts this year while a permanent tenant is found," according to Hannah Kuchler of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Live Nation Europe President of Concerts John Reid said he intended to announce major concerts with "world-renowned artists" in the coming weeks. London Legacy Development Corp. CEO Dennis Hone said the deal was an "important stepping stone" toward a long-term program of events in the park, which has been named Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Financial terms of the contract "have not been disclosed" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 1/22). In London, Alice Vincent reported the stadium is set to reopen on July 27 for two concerts to "celebrate the first anniversary" of the opening of the 2012 Summer Olympics. No acts for either the festivals or the concerts have been confirmed. London Mayor Boris Johnson "spoke positively" of the Live Nation deal. Johnson: "Our vision for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has always been as a destination for world class sport as well as major cultural and leisure events" (TELEGRAPH, 1/22). Also in London, Mark Sweney reported Live Nation's music events "could continue" in the Olympic Park even if EPL West Ham becomes the primary occupant of the stadium. If a deal with West Ham is agreed, the club is "unlikely to move in until the start" of the '16-17 season (GUARDIAN, 1/22). The PA's Helen William reported music festivals Hard Rock Calling and Wireless Festival will move from Hyde Park following complaints from residents over the noise levels and nuisance. The £292M ($463M) transformation of the Olympic Park, which began when the London Games ended, is "set to take 18 months" (PA, 1/22).
