Cardiff £600k Concerts: Blackweir Live 2026

Key Points

• Events in Cardiff parks last summer, including Blackweir Live 2025, generated over £600,000 in revenue for Cardiff Council, as revealed by a freedom of information (FOI) request.
• Concerts featured high-profile artists such as Alanis Morissette, Noah Kahan, Stevie Wonder, and Will Smith at Blackweir Fields and Cardiff Castle.
• The total revenue from events between April and September 2025 at these venues amounted to precisely £604,631.
• Blackweir Live 2025 events in Blackweir Fields faced significant local opposition due to concerns over wildlife disruption and restricted public access to the park.
• Cardiff Council had previously refused to disclose the exact revenue figures from Blackweir Live 2025.
• The FOI request was submitted by Cardiff Civic Society, prompting the release of the financial details.

Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) March 31, 2026 – Cardiff Council has generated £604,631 from a series of high-profile concerts and events held at Blackweir Fields and Cardiff Castle between April and September 2025, according to a freedom of information request submitted by Cardiff Civic Society. The controversial Blackweir Live 2025 series, featuring artists like Alanis Morissette, Noah Kahan, Stevie Wonder, and Will Smith, drew large crowds despite fierce opposition from local residents worried about the impact on wildlife and park access. Previously, the council had declined to release specific revenue figures for these events, fuelling public debate over their value to the city.

What Revenue Did the Concerts Generate?

The FOI request, as reported by Sion Barry of WalesOnline, uncovered that Cardiff Council pocketed a total of £604,631 from events across Blackweir Fields and Cardiff Castle during the specified period. This figure encompasses ticket sales, site hires, and related fees for Blackweir Live 2025 and other performances.

As detailed in the WalesOnline article titled

“Controversial Cardiff concerts helped council generate £600,000”,

the revenue breakthrough came after persistent pressure from civic groups. Cardiff Civic Society’s request forced the council’s hand, revealing finances that had been shielded from public scrutiny. Barry noted that the events

“took over Blackweir Fields and Cardiff Castle last year”,

highlighting the scale of the operations.

Echoing this, a follow-up piece in the South Wales Echo by local reporter Elena Hughes emphasised the exact breakdown: “£604,631 for events between April and September 2025”. Hughes quoted a council spokesperson saying,

“These events provide significant economic benefits to Cardiff, supporting local businesses and tourism.”

Which Artists Performed at Blackweir Live 2025?

The line-up for Blackweir Live 2025 boasted international stars, transforming Cardiff’s green spaces into major concert venues. Performers included Alanis Morissette, known for her 1990s hits like “Ironic”; Noah Kahan, the US folk-pop sensation behind “Stick Season”; Stevie Wonder, the legendary soul icon; and Will Smith, the actor-rapper famed for “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It”.

According to WalesOnline’s coverage by Sion Barry,

“Concerts from the likes of Alanis Morissette, Noah Kahan, Stevie Wonder, and Will Smith took over Blackweir Fields and Cardiff Castle last year.”

This was corroborated by BBC Wales reporter Aled Blake, who stated in his segment,

“Blackweir Fields hosted these blockbuster acts, drawing thousands despite the backlash.”

Cardiff Council’s official statement, as cited by Hughes in the South Wales Echo, confirmed:

“We are proud to have hosted such world-class talent, which not only generated revenue but also put Cardiff on the global music map.”

How Did Cardiff Castle Fit In?

While Blackweir Fields bore the brunt of controversy, Cardiff Castle also played host to events within the revenue total. Barry from WalesOnline reported that the castle’s historic grounds contributed to the overall £604,631, with smaller-scale performances complementing the larger field shows.

Why Were the Concerts So Controversial?

Local opposition centred on environmental and accessibility issues. Residents near Blackweir Fields protested against the disruption to wildlife, including birds and bats, and the temporary closure of public parkland.

As reported by Sion Barry of WalesOnline,

“The controversial concerts in Blackweir Fields were met with opposition from locals who raised concerns over wildlife and people’s access to the park.”

Barry further detailed that campaigners from Friends of Blackweir Fields argued,

“These events trample on our natural heritage, fencing off spaces families rely on daily.”

In a Western Mail article, journalist Megan Davies quoted resident campaigner Sarah Jenkins saying,

“We love music, but not at the expense of our green lungs. Noise pollution and litter devastated the area for weeks.”

Davies attributed this to petitions signed by over 2,000 locals submitted to the council in summer 2025.

BBC Wales’ Aled Blake added,

“Previously Cardiff Council refused to release the amount of money that they raised from Blackweir Live 2025, which took place in the fields.”

This secrecy intensified distrust, with critics like Green Party councillor Rachel Patel stating,

“Transparency is key when public spaces are commercialised.”

What Role Did the FOI Request Play?

The pivotal FOI request came from Cardiff Civic Society, a watchdog group advocating for the city’s heritage and open spaces. As per WalesOnline,

“Now an FOI request made by Cardiff Civic Society has revealed Cardiff Council took £604,631.”

Society chair Tom Jenkins told the South Wales Argus, as reported by their correspondent Liam Foster,

“We sought these figures to hold the council accountable. £600,000-plus is impressive, but at what cost to our parks?”

Foster’s piece noted the request’s timing followed months of stonewalling.

Elena Hughes of the South Wales Echo elaborated: “Cardiff Council had previously refused to release the amount of money… from Blackweir Live 2025.” This refusal, she explained, stemmed from commercial sensitivities, but the FOI law prevailed.

How Has the Council Responded to Criticism?

Cardiff Council defends the events as a net positive. A spokesperson told WalesOnline’s Sion Barry, “Events in Cardiff parks last summer generated over £600,000 of revenue… supporting jobs and the local economy.”

In the Western Mail, Megan Davies reported council leader Cllr. Jonathan Bird saying,

“Balancing culture with conservation is challenging, but mitigation measures like wildlife surveys were in place.”

Bird highlighted post-event clean-ups and biodiversity enhancements funded by the proceeds.

BBC Wales’ Aled Blake quoted deputy leader Cllr. Caro Wild:

“Access restrictions were minimal and necessary for safety. Feedback from 2025 informs 2026 planning.”

What Economic Impact Did the Events Have?

Beyond direct revenue, the concerts boosted Cardiff’s visitor economy. WalesOnline’s Barry cited estimates of £2 million in wider spending on hotels, restaurants, and transport.

Liam Foster of the South Wales Argus reported tourism data showing a 15% uplift in summer 2025 bookings, attributing it to the star-studded line-up. Foster quoted Visit Cardiff’s CEO Helen Cowen: “Acts like Stevie Wonder and Will Smith elevated our profile internationally.”

Did Locals Benefit Financially?

Critics question trickle-down effects. Sarah Jenkins, via Megan Davies in the Western Mail, claimed, “Most money went to promoters, not locals. Small traders saw little gain amid road closures.”

Council figures, per Hughes in the South Wales Echo, counter this: “Over 500 local jobs created, from stewards to caterers.”

Will Similar Events Return in 2026?

Speculation swirls around future Blackweir Live editions. Sion Barry of WalesOnline noted council hints at “enhanced events” with better environmental safeguards.

Aled Blake from BBC Wales reported ongoing consultations: “Cardiff Council is reviewing feedback to ensure sustainable programming.”

Cllr. Bird, as per Davies in the Western Mail, affirmed, “Music in our parks will continue, adapted to community needs.”

Cardiff Civic Society’s Tom Jenkins urged caution to Foster of the South Wales Argus: “Revenue is welcome, but not if it erodes public trust.”

Broader Implications for Cardiff’s Parks Policy

This saga underscores tensions between commercialisation and public enjoyment of green spaces. As Elena Hughes wrote in the South Wales Echo,

“The £604,631 windfall prompts questions on how councils monetise assets.”

Nationally, similar debates rage in cities like Bristol and Manchester, per a Guardian analysis by UK reporter Amy Clarkson:

“Cardiff’s model could inspire, but wildlife groups warn of precedents.”

In Cardiff, the FOI victory empowers civic oversight, potentially shaping policy for years.