Spanish pop singer Vanesa Martín heads up the list of touring artists on July’s Hot Tickets with a two-night engagement at the WiZink Center in Madrid on May 7-8. Continue Reading Calm Before the Storm: Capacities Still Low, But That’s Ready to Change
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‘WE HAD TO ADAPT’: WiZink Center was among the first of the big arenas to return after the novel coronavirus shutdown. (Courtesy venue) WiZink Center: Spanish Steps Madrid arena’s GM talks about little victories in a year when everyone lost When the world shut down in March, Spain was among the countries hit hardest by COVID-19, topping 20,000 deaths in mid-April. The government introduced some of the severest restrictions on public life in all of Europe, including tiered time slots during which only certain age groups were allowed to leave the house. So how did WiZink Center, in the Spanish capital of Madrid, top the VenuesNow year-end Top Stops for 2020 in the 15,001-30,000 category? The arena’s situation evolved parallel to the evolution of the pandemic, said the arena’s general manager, Manuel Saucedo. “Spain went through more than 100 days of complete lockdown, so WiZink Center remained completely closed for… Continue Reading Year End 2020: Arena Top Stop
Continue Reading Year End 2020: Arena Top Stop
Read MoreLIVE! ROUNDUP On a Hot Tickets chart dominated by outdoor drive-in performances, the sole indoor arena event leads the pack with the highest gross among reported shows during July. The socially distanced engagement featuring contestants on the Spanish televised talent competition “Operación Triunfo” is No. 1 with a box office take of $246,187. Madrid’s WiZink Center hosted the event, attended by 4,690 fans with two shows each July 25 and 26. The 2020 edition of the competition marked the show’s 11th season and kicked off Jan. 12. Even though the coronavirus pandemic forced delays in scheduling and ultimately virtual participation, the season finale aired June 10. Finalists from the show, appeared at the live event in Madrid. Ranked second on Hot Tickets is the top grosser among the drive-in shows, a three-night event staged in the City National Grove of Anaheim’s parking lot. Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness drew fans… Continue Reading An Arena Horns In on the Drive-Ins
Continue Reading An Arena Horns In on the Drive-Ins
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WiZink Center in Madrid has a capacity of 17,500 but will have far fewer in attendance for the concerts. (Getty Images) Plan for new slate of shows includes more tech and an audience The operators of WiZink Center in the Spanish capital, Madrid, announced they have confirmed several artists for paid livestreamed concerts that will be performed before at least some fans inside the building. Working with the venue’s managing company, Impulsa Eventos e Instalaciones, as well as telecommunications company Telefónica, the plan is to take the concept of live streams to another level. To help with that, the venue has installed production you’d expect when broadcasting popular sports events but not necessarily concerts. The performance will be recorded with at least six television cameras, usually intended for sporting events — including stationary cameras, polecams and rail cams — that offer different perspectives of what is happening on stage. “The… Continue Reading Live Music, Fans Returning to WiZink Center
Continue Reading Live Music, Fans Returning to WiZink Center
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Spanish rock band Vetusta Morla performs at WiZink Center during a concert Dec. 27. (Getty Images) Spain first in Europe to open clubs, but big venues get little guidance Spain is the first European country to announce an official plan for reviving the country’s cultural industry, and it’s a slow burner in four stages. After an initial preparatory phase that will last until May 11, indoor venues up to 90 capacity will be allowed to host a maximum of 30 people. Open-air events will be allowed to host up to 200 people, as long as they’re seated and ensure that restrictions on distance are kept. Every two weeks, capacities will increase, to 50 people indoors and 400 outdoors from May 25, which is when cinemas, theaters, exhibition halls and other public spaces will open, albeit at one-third of their usual capacity. Their capacity will be increased to 50% come June… Continue Reading Despite Uncertainty, WiZink Center Makes Plans
Continue Reading Despite Uncertainty, WiZink Center Makes Plans
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