YOUNG VOICES UNITE: The O2 London has named the non-stage end of the arena after a children’s choir that has now been running for 25 years. (Courtesy venue)

The non-stage end of The O2, London, will be known as “The Young Voices End” going forward.

Young Voices, the name behind the largest children’s choir concerts in the world, returned to The O2 in London last week to celebrate 25 years since launching the Young Voices brand.

The O2 had reason to celebrate as well, as last week’s performance marked a major milestone. The O2 has now offered over 500,000 children a stage across 66 shows.

To celebrate, the non-stage end of the arena has now officially been named, “The Young Voices End,” with a commemorative plaque set to be installed later this year.

Emma Bownes, VP of venue programming at The O2 & AEG Europe, said, “It is unbelievable to think that Young Voices have now given half a million children the opportunity to enjoy and perform music at The O2, creating memories that will stay with them and their families forever. Experiencing the sound of 8,000 children singing in unison is truly uplifting and inspiring, and we have been so proud to host Young Voices at The O2 since it first played the venue in 2007.”

Ben Lewis, CEO of Young Voices, added, “We were totally blown away by this announcement. The O2 is probably the most iconic arena in the world and is usually reserved for the biggest names in music. So, imagine how special it is for the children taking part to be able to say The O2 have named an end of the arena after them!

“I remember how lucky we felt at our first event at the venue, back when it opened in 2007. To be here doing our 66th show and passing half a million children mark is simply overwhelming.”

Young Voices believe that “every child should be given the chance to find their love of music,” according to the announcement. Since 1996, over two-and-a-half-million children have participated in a Young Voices concert worldwide.

The 2022 Young Voices season is now over, it featured 21 concerts in total. Aside from The O2, other UK arenas that hosted Young Voices concerts include AO Arena Manchester, OVO Arena Wembley, Resorts World Arena Birmingham, and Utilita Arena Sheffield.

Young Voices concerts usually feature a specially arranged repertoire taking in everything from rock and pop to folk and classical.