Music fans flock to forest for sell-out concerts by big names

The Forestry Commission has announced that the open-air gigs by Will Young and Plan B on Friday and Saturday, June 29 and 30 respectively, have been oversubscribed with a combined total of 10,000 music fans heading for the forest near Pickering.

Forestry Commission chiefs have described it as a massive boost for the environment in the area, with cash raised by the Forestry Commission Live Music tour to be used to help care for woodlands in Yorkshire and the Tees Valley.

The tour takes place each summer in seven forest locations around the country.

Organiser Tanya Rex said: “Despite the economic climate fans have flocked once again to this unique venue to see world class music. It will be a great weekend.”

The programme of live music was first launched in 2001, but over the last decade or so it has become an increasingly important income stream for the commission.

Since 2003, revenue generated by the forest has doubled from £7m to £14m – of that, the calendar of summer gigs generates in excess of £3m.

In recent years, everyone from Travis and The Zutons to Paul Weller and Erasure have performed at Dalby Forest as well as Massive Attack, McFly and Sugababes.

Jools Holland, who appeared in the first forest concert series, has been seen as vital in spreading the word publicly about using forests as a venue, and last year total audience that numbers topped one million.

The forest will be closed to the general public on both concert days from 4pm.

Visitor information is available from the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre on 01751 460295, or by visiting www.forestry.gov.uk/music.