Resort's Will Smith coup branded 'truly amazing'

Blackpool's tourism bosses are hoping superstar Will Smith will help put the resort in the national spotlight and attract more acts to perform on the unique festival headland.
Will SmithWill Smith
Will Smith

The Hollywood star and rapper, whose film credits include Ali, Men in Black and Suicide Squad, will play a one off show on August 27 alongside long-term collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff.

The rare UK date, part of the new Livewire Festival, is one of only two the duo have planned in Europe this summer.

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And Alan Cavill, Director of Places for Blackpool Council, is as impressed with the capture as anybody.

He said: “It’s truly amazing. Not only is he true Hollywood royalty but he isn’t playing anywhere else.

“It’s almost a three in one because it’s so rare the two of them perform together.

“It isn’t our event, we are just renting out the space but it’s a massive boost for Blackpool.

“The publicity has been fantastic.

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“It’ll not just bring people in from across the North West but across the UK.”

The event will be held on the Tower Festival Headland a week before Blackpool’s big Switch On.

And Mr Cavill said the venue had been key to attracting the stars.

He said: “The organisers say the reason they were able to get the big names was because of the space.

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“It’s so flexible, it can be used for events with two, three or four thousands, up to 20,000 people, although I suspect in this case it’ll be the latter.

“We had a bit of an unlucky start with the headland with Elton John suffering with some rather freak weather.

“But hopefully this will encourage more people who come forward and use what is a really unique space between the Tower and the sea.”