Forest branches out into rock venue

CONCERT organisers are preparing an outdoor venue in the heart of one of England’s largest forests ahead of the arrival of thousands of music fans this weekend.

By The Newsroom

Published 21st Jun 2011, 11:32 BST

More than 9,000 concert-goers are due to descend on Dalby Forest, near Pickering, for live performances by Simple Minds and Erasure on the evenings of Friday and Saturday.

The two gigs, which are being staged by the Forestry Commission, will raise funds to help preserve woodlands in North Yorkshire and the Tees Valley.

While Erasure’s gig on Saturday has sold out, tickets will be available on the gate for the Simple Minds concert on the previous evening.

Nearly 150 lights and miles of cabling will be installed from the middle of this week to transform a natural tree-lined auditorium in Dalby Forest into a rustic rock venue.

Support acts who will be appearing for the two gigs include Sophie Ellis-Bextor for Erasure and James Walsh for Simple Minds.

This weekend’s gigs are the latest in a series of summer concerts in Dalby Forest over the last decade which have included performances by Pulp, Paul Weller and The Beautiful South.