The O2, Dublin

:"For the London venue of the same name, see The O₂."

Infobox building|right
building_name=


building_type=Concert and events venue
former_names= Point Theatre
architectural_style=Amphitheatre
structural_system=
location=The O₂
East Link Bridge
North Wall Quay
Dublin 1
Ireland
owner= Harry Crosbie / Live Nation
current_tenants=
completion_date=2008
height=
diameter=
other_dimensions=
opening_date=2008
architect=
structural_engineer=
services_engineer=
awards=|

The O₂ is a concert and events venue in Ireland, scheduled to open in December 2008. It is located in the Point Village on the North Wall Quay of the River Liffey, amongst the Dublin Docklands. The Point Village is also well-known for its 35m (110ft) high “Giant Man” proposal. [cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2008/0705/1215207406481.html|title="Crosbie plans 'Giant Man' project as colossal attraction"|date=2008-07-05|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="The Irish Times"] The O₂ was built on the site of the former Point Theatre, [cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2008/07/02/meet-the-new-venue-on-the-block-the-o2/|title="Meet the new venue on the block - The O2"|date=2008-07-02|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="The Irish Times"] a much smaller music venue which operated from 1988 - 2007. Following its closure, the site underwent major redevelopment and, in Ireland's first major naming rights deal, was renamed after the telecommunication brand, O₂, similar to the O₂ in London. [cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS94098+07-Jul-2008+PRN20080707|title=Live Nation's Point Theater in Dublin to Be Renamed The O2|date=2008-07-07|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=Reuters] O₂ paid €25 million and, as part of the deal, 10-15 per cent of concert tickets will be made available to their 1.6 million Irish subscribers up to 48 hours in advance of going on general sale. O₂ mobile customers will also get fast-track access to the venue on the night of gigs and have exclusive use of two of the 14 bars on site. The mobile phone company also plans to make music content from Live Nation events around the world available to its subscribers. [cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2008/0705/1215207406562.html|title=O2 agrees to pay €25m for naming rights to the Point|date=2008-07-05|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="The Irish Times"]

The arena will have a capacity of over 13,000 (standing) or 9,300 (seated) and promises to stage 150 live events each year, catering for two million customers annually. [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/o2-wins-naming-rights-for-stunning-new-point-1425944.html|title=O2 wins naming rights for 'stunning' new Point|date=2008-07-03|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="Irish Independent"] It is larger than any other fully-equipped indoor venue in the country and now it can be described as one of Ireland's premier music venues. Prior to the redevelopment the seated capacity was 8,500. Leonard Cohen will open the venue on December 1.

Events in the O₂ are controlled by Live Nation, a live events company based in Beverly Hills, California, who own half of the venue. Live Nation is a spin-off of Clear Channel Communications, who separated the live music part of their business for legal reasons. Mike Adamson of Live Nation Ireland revealed that Irish fans had been short-changed when attending major events in the previous venue due to size restrictions. "It wasn't always possible to get every show touring in Europe into the venue because of restrictions. It is now. Some shows couldn't fit. For example, George Michael could only stage three-quarters of his production in the Point. We're up there now with other venues in Europe." Developer Harry Crosbie said that the Point had had a "grungy" feel "which suited Dublin at the time", but that the O₂ was a "stunning venue" created for a more "sophisticated" audience.

History

Redevelopment and rebranding

The old Point was closed in the summer of 2007 to make way for a refurbishment to a design by HOKSVE architects and Buro Happold engineers. The wall closest to the city was knocked out and was extended outward to create an arena with extra capacity. Also on the site of the carpark and other surrounding land there is an underground car park, a cinema, a shopping centre, a small 2000 seater theatre, a hotel and a 35-storey tower with offices, retail and 150 residential units. The announcement of the rebranding of the facility to the O₂ took place in July 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0702/pointtheatre.html|title=Point Theatre to re-open under new name|date=2008-07-01|accessdate=2008-09-19|publisher=RTÉ]

On September 18, 2008, a crane collapsed at the front gate of the O₂ site in morning rush hour traffic, sending three men to the Mater Hospital. The scene had to be sealed off as three fire crews and a number of ambulances attended. The Point Village Development Company said that a piece of a jib from the ground crawler crane fell at the construction site. [cite web|url=http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/crane-collapse-at-point-village-1477928.html|title=Crane collapse at Point Village|date=2008-09-18|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="Evening Herald"]

Notable future events

The first artist to open the arena is unknown, however there is a rumour of mystery guests opening the venue on December 16th.

Counting Crows will play a pre-Christmas date at the O₂ as announced on stage at Oxegen 2008. This was later confirmed for December 20 2008, with support from The Hold Steady and Mêlée. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4687021.html|title=UPDATED: Counting Crows 02 show, Belfast date, pre-sale|date=2008-08-07|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher="Hot Press"]

On December 21 and December 22 2008, Coldplay will play the O₂. Tickets for the fully-seated shows were €54.80 and €59.80 and went on sale on Friday July 25 at 9 a.m., limited to four per person/transaction. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4668129.html|title=UPDATED: Coldplay announce Christmas date|date=2008-07-22|accessdate=2008-07-22|publisher="Hot Press"] [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/coldplay-to-be-the-first-to-play-new-o2-at-the-point-1438310.html|title=Coldplay to be the first to play new O2 at the Point"|date=2008-07-22|accessdate=2008-07-23|publisher="Irish Independent"] They sold out within 10 minutes. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0725/coldplay.html|title=Coldplay sell out Dublin dates in minutes|date=2008-07-25|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=RTÉ] [cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0725/breaking36.htm|title='Coldplay' sells out 'O2' in 10 minutes|date=2008-07-25|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="The Irish Times"] The band will also play the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on December 18.

Kings of Leon are undertaking a UK and Ireland tour in December 2008 [cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/kings-of-leon/38706|title=Kings Of Leon add Wembley show to UK tour|date=2008-08-06|accessdate=2008-08-11|publisher="NME"] and will play the O₂ [cite web|url=http://www.phantom.ie/content/view/1713/104/|title=Kings of Leon to play Dublin....again?|date=2008-07-30|accessdate=2008-07-30|publisher=Phantom FM] [cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2008/07/29/kings-of-leon-to-play-dublins-02-in-december/|title=Kings Of Leon to play Dublin’s 02 in December|date=2008-07-29|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="The Irish Times"] on December 19 (just prior to the Counting Crows and Coldplay shows) in between the band's Cardiff and Wembley dates. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4688037.html|title=Kings of Leon presale to begin Thursday morning|date=2008-08-13|accessdate=2008-08-14|publisher="Hot Press"] They will be supported by M83. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4874361.html|title=M83 bag Kings of Leon support|date=2008-10-10|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher="Hot Press"]

The first event of 2009 will be The Mighty Boosh and their Boosh Live tour, arriving at the O₂ for January 5 2009. [cite web|url=http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/mighty-boosh-to-start-party-1482460.html|title="Mighty Boosh to start party|date=2008-09-25|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher="Evening Herald"]

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is coming to the O2 on January 17th 2009. UFC 93 features Rich Franklin v Dan Henderson as the main event.

The reunited New Kids on the Block will perform a show at the O₂ on January 21 2009. [cite web|url=http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/event/150602/New_Kids_On_The_Block_The_O2_Formerly_The_Point_Dublin_21_January_2009.html|title=New Kids on the Block @ The O2 [Formerly The Point] - Wed 21st Jan 2009|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=allgigs.co.uk]

Keane will play the O₂ on January 25 2009. [cite web|url=http://entertainment.ie/music/music-news-article.asp?NewsID=23377|title=Keane To Play Dublin and Belfast [UPDATED] |date=2008-09-23|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher=entertainment.ie]

The Priest Feast Tour featuring Judas Priest, Megadeth and Testament will play two Irish shows in February 2009, [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/archive/4855370.html|title=Judas Priest confirm Irish gigs|date=2008-10-01|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher="Hot Press"] prior to the start of its seven-concert UK run. The first date (February 10) is at the O₂ whilst the following night a second show will take place at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. [ [http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105935 BLABBERMOUTH.NET] ]

The Killers will play the the O₂ on February 20 2009, as part of a UK and Ireland arena tour. [cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/the-killers/40249|title=The Killers announce 2009 UK and Ireland tour|date=2008-10-06|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher="NME"] Tickets for the entire tour sold out within hours after going on sale on October 10 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/the-killers/40365|title=Killers' UK and Ireland arena tour sells out in hours|date=2008-10-10|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher="NME"]

"The X Factor" Live Tour will stop at the O₂ on March 19 2009. [cite web|url=http://www.allgigs.co.uk/search/tourdates/50849/X_Factor_Live-1.html|title=X Factor Live Tour Dates|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=allgigs.co.uk]

Kenny Rogers will perform a reserved seated show [cite web|url=http://www.irishpressreleases.ie/2008/09/08/kenny-rogers-announced-for-the-o2-dublin-on-march-24-2008/|title=Kenny Rogers announced for The O2 Dublin on March 24, 2008|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=Irish Press Releases] at the O₂ on March 24 2009. [cite web|url=http://independent.viagogo.co.uk/Concert-Tickets/Country-and-Folk/Kenny-Rogers-Tickets/E-153621|title=Tickets available for: Kenny Rogers|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="The Independent"]

Tina Turner will perform two shows at the O₂ on March 26 and March 27 2009, the first of which was announced on August 28 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4739156.html|title=Tina Turner to play O2|date=2008-08-28|accessdate=2008-08-28|publisher="Hot Press"] Tickets (priced between €91.25 and €156.25) went on sale on September 4 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0829/1219875241953.html|title=Tina Turner to play revamped O2|date=2008-08-29|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="The Irish Times"] Both dates sold out in a record breaking 20 minutes. On September 17 2008 a third April 11 date was announced with the presale beginning on September 20 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4739156.html|title=Tina Turner to play O2|date=2008-08-28|accessdate=2008-08-28|publisher="Hot Press"] When this sold out a fourth date (April 12) was announced on September 22 with tickets immediately going on sale. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4789835.html|title=UPDATED: Tina Turner adds final Irish date|date=2008-09-22|accessdate=2008-09-22|publisher="Hot Press"] Turner, who officially retired from live performance eight years ago, decided to tour again after performing at the Grammys with Beyoncé. “The response was overwhelming,” she said. “Everywhere I went people were asking me when I was going back on tour again. So after a lot of thought and planning we announced an American tour. Now Europe beckons!” [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4588879.html|title=EXCLUSIVE: Tina Turner to play Dublin|date=2008-05-30|accessdate=2008-05-30|publisher="Hot Press"]

Cirque du Soleil will bring the arena tour of their "Quidam" production to the O₂ in 2009. More than 50 performers from 14 countries partake in a combination of gravity defying acrobats, aerial acts, contortionists, rope-jumpers, a balancing duo and the acclaimed crazy clowns. The show will take place from March 31 - April 4 2009, with tickets going on sale on September 19 2008. [cite web|url=http://entertainment.ie/event/theatre/going-out/Cirque-du-Soleil:-Quidam/2433193.htm|title=Acrobats and Aerial Acts|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=entertainment.ie] [cite web|url=http://home.eircom.net/content/unison/national/13699150?view=Eircomnet|title=Cirque Du Soleil tickets to go on sale|date=2008-09-14|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=eircom]

Boyzone will bring their Better 09 Tour to the O₂ on May 26 2009, with tickets, priced from €49.20, going on sale on Friday September 26. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0922/boyzone.html|title=Boyzone return to Dublin next year|date=2008-09-22|accessdate=2008-09-22|publisher=RTÉ] The O₂ concert will be the group's first indoor show in Dublin since January 13 2000. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4821224.html|title=Boyzone confirm concert date at the O2, Dublin|date=2008-09-22|accessdate=2008-09-22|publisher="Hot Press"]

References

External links

* [http://www.theo2.ie/ Official site]

###@@@KEY@@@###succession box
title= The O₂
before= Point Theatre
after= "incumbent"
years=