The Enemy switch Coventry Cathedral gigs to the Kasbah

[dutchman]

The Enemy have switched their historic Coventry Cathedral ruins gigs to the Kasbah - blaming city council red tape for the late change.



The Coventry band had sold-out two nights for the historic shows in the heart of the city centre on May 21 and 22.

However the open air concerts- which caused huge excitement when they were announced last month - will now take place at the Kasbah instead - with the band offering partial refunds to ticket holders.

The Enemy blamed "noise restrictions imposed by Coventry Council and certain health and safety aspects" for the decision to abandon the plan to play in the Cathedral Ruins.

Writing on Facebook, the band said: "We are absolutely devastated, just gutted.

"So much hard work has gone into trying to do something ...special for the people in Coventry.

"We absolutely adore our fans, especially our home fans, and we really wanted to put on the cathedral show as a way to say thank you for the support over the years.

"The noise restrictions and some red tape the council and cathedral have imposed mean that we’ll have to move the gig, at the eleventh hour, been left with no choice.

"We don’t want to risk having to cancel the show on the morning if the council and the police decide not to grant a license.

"It’s not fair to the fans who’ve spent their hard earned on tickets."

[dutchman]

The Enemy 'turned down free Broadgate concert' says Coventry City Council

COVENTRY City Council have blamed The Enemy for cancelling the much-anticipated gig in Coventry Cathedral’s ruins - and claim they even offered the band the opportunity to play a free concert in Broadgate.

The city band announced the cancellation last night blaming council red tape for having to change the venue to the Kasbar nightclub with just a week to go.

The three-piece indie-rockers had sold-out two nights for the historic shows in the heart of the city centre on May 21 and 22.

The Enemy blamed concerns over noise restrictions in the area around the cathedral.

However the city council claimed they were "surprised and sorry" to hear that the band were switching venues.

Coventry City Council’s statement said: “We’re really sorry The Enemy has decided to cancel the concerts

“We’ve been working with them for many weeks to try and make them happen.

“We originally hoped they’d put on a free concert for Coventry fans in Broadgate, but the band then decided they’d rather perform in the cathedral.

“Since then, we’ve been working with them and cathedral authorities on this plan.

“The band’s promoters have certainly been aware of the noise restriction issues right from the start, and the need to provide security, portable loos, a bar and all the other infrastructure needed to put on a safe concert in a place like the cathedral ruins.

“We were surprised and sorry when they told us they were moving the concert but are now talking to the promoters about working with them in the future.”

The open air concerts will now take place at the Kasbah in Hillfields instead.

The band is offering partial refunds to ticket holders.

Announcing the change, The Enemy posted: “We are absolutely devastated, just gutted.

“The noise restrictions and some red tape the council and cathedral have imposed mean that we’ll have to move the gig, at the eleventh hour, been left with no choice.

“We don’t want to risk having to cancel the show on the morning if the council and the police decide not to grant a license.”