Vector Arena up for World’s Best

December 4, 2007

Vector Arena up for World’s Best

Auckland’s Vector Arena could be crowned the world’s best Arena after being nominated in the concert industry’s flagship awards.

The CIC Pollstar Awards, in their 19th year, honour touring artists and those who keep the shows on the road.

Vector Arena has been shortlisted for the International Arena of the Year, alongside competition including London’s O2 Arena and the iconic Wembley Arena, which scooped this award last time around.

“This is a huge honour for everyone at Vector Arena and is a tribute to all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes,” says Guy Ngata, Vector Arena’s General Manager.

“To be nominated alongside such established venues, when we have only been open for eight months, is testament to the great acts and great shows which have performed here,” he adds.

“And to be the only venue in the southern hemisphere to be nominated is fantastic.”

Award nominees are selected by a group of concert industry professionals, and voted on by subscribers to Pollstar magazine, the world’s largest resource of international concert tour information.

The Awards are due to be announced on February 7, 2008, at a glittering ceremony at the Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles.

In addition to International Arena of the Year, categories include Best New Touring Artist, Most Creative Tour Package and Theatre of the Year.

Justin Timberlake, who recently wowed the crowds at Vector Arena, is nominated in three categories – Major Tour of the Year, Most Creative Stage Production and Most Creative Tour Package (in association with Pink).

Another Vector Arena visitor, Gwen Stefani, is also nominated for Most Creative Stage Production.

The six venues Vector Arena is in competition with are: Arena Monterrey (Monterrey, Mexico); Color Line Arena (Hamburg, Germany); Manchester Evening News Arena (Manchester, UK); O2 Arena (London, UK); Odyssey Arena (Belfast, UK); Wembley Arena (London, UK).

Vector Arena, New Zealand’s largest multi-purpose indoor entertainment and sports complex, hosted its first show in March.

“Thanks must go to those who had the original vision and ambition to build a world-class venue here, including Auckland City Council, Jacobsen Venue Management and to our naming rights sponsor Vector Ltd for their continued support.

“With such influential stakeholders on board, along with the promoters who have really embraced Vector Arena, Auckland can now punch well above its weight in the global entertainment industry,” says Mr Ngata, adding that the support from the land owner, local Maori Iwi, Ngāti Whatuā o Orakei has also been crucial to the success of the venue.

Meanwhile the big names keep rolling in, with numerous top acts already lined up for next year, including Vector Arena’s first family show, High School Musical “The Ice Tour”.

Tickets go on sale this month for Maroon 5, Matchbox 20, the Foo Fighters and High School Musical “The Ice Tour”, all due to take place from April to June 2008.

For more information on the Pollstar Awards, visit www.pollstarpro.com/awards

ENDS

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