A crowd of 18,000 are set to party with Lionel Richie when the music megastar comes to Carlisle.

The US singer announced yesterday (TUE) that he is to play a concert at Carlisle United's Brunton Park stadium this summer.

News of his city date - on Sunday, June 17 - came just 24 hours after it was revealed that Paloma Faith will be performing at Carlisle Racecourse on July 7.

The News & Star has learned that about 18,000 tickets will be available for Lionel Richie's gig with more potentially available once final staging and safety arrangements have been made.

Hosts United say the concert is a massive boost for the club from both a financial standpoint and further getting its name out there as a top events arena.

Last year The Voice judge Olly Murs and legends UB40 played concerts at Brunton Park over the same weekend, with Sir Rod Stewart dazzling crowds the previous summer.

Phil King, United's sales and marketing director, said: "It's financially significant. It's a good commercial event for the club from the point of view that money from things like this goes back into the club and the team.

"There's a direct link."

However, it looks like there won't be a repeat of a double concert this summer at the stadium as currently the Lionel Richie show will be the only one held.

"Lionel is a big name and we are expecting a big crowd," Mr King added.

Although there may not be another name announced for this summer the club remains open to hosting another big gig next year.

"It's got to work for us and got to work commercially," he said.


Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, AXS.com, Gigantic and alt. Tickets.

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