Glyndwr University Signs New Deal With Live Music Pioneer

Glyndŵr University has joined forces with an entertainment pioneer to bring the best in live music to a landmark venue.

The Wrexham University’s William Aston Hall (WAH) has already played host to some of the top names in UK comedy, including Jimmy Carr, John Bishop and Chris Addison.

A new partnership with VMS – which operates, promotes and manages Manchester Academy, Brixton Electric and Birmingham Ballroom, amongst other arenas – will give the institution a fresh platform to bring UK and international bands and musicians to the Plas Coch venue, as well as attracting music fans from all over the country to north east Wales.

The deal coincides with the announcement that The Levellers will play at the WAH on November 18, as part of their Greatest Hits Tour 2014.

Lynda Powell, director of campus management and commercial services at Glyndŵr University, said: “We are delighted to have entered into a long term management agreement with VMS to oversee our venues.

“We already have a talented set of staff assisting with the delivery of events into the William Aston Hall and Catrin Finch Centre.

“Glyndŵr University remains at the heart of the community in North Wales and the agreement with VMS will provide audiences with a wider range of live music.

“In VMS, we are confident that we have found a partner which will take our successful arts and entertainment programme to a new level.”

VMS operations director Richard Maides believes the William Aston Hall and Catrin Finch Centre are “hidden gems” and looks forward to making the partnership a success.

He said: “I was here for the sold out John Bishop show and you really can see the potential.

“In the past, bands like Feeder and the Super Furry Animals have played here but there has been no concerted effort to deliver a consistent high-quality contemporary music programme into the venues.”

Richard added: “Wrexham has a huge catchment area and is under-utilised as a destination – there is a massive untapped market for any promoter.

“We have already started to make some changes and have new events on sale such as The Levellers/Selecter in the autumn, and we are hoping to secure more artists of all genres.

“If you look at the comedy programme already in place and translate that into music then you can see what the potential is.”

The Levellers release their Greatest Hits album on September 29, a selection of songs spanning the band’s 25 year career, from the folk punk roots of Carry Me, through to the anthemic One Way, Fifteen Years and the chart topping, Hope Street.

“To have secured The Levellers is a great coup for the University,” said Lynda.

“We expect more big names to follow later in the year.”

https://www.wrexham.com/glyndwr