Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Encyclopedia
The Earls Court Exhibition Centre is an exhibition centre, conference and event venue located in west London
, United Kingdom in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
. It is the largest exhibition venue in central London. It is served by two underground
stations, Earl's Court
and West Brompton
, opposite its entrances on Warwick Road and the Old Brompton Road. Earls Court and nearby Olympia
are operated by EC&O Venues.
, who held the manor of Geoffrey de Montbray
, bishop of Coutances, in the Domesday Book
in 1086. By circa 1095, his tenure had been converted, and he held Kensington directly of the crown. The earls held their manorial court where Old Manor Yard is now, just by the London Underground
station. Earl's Court Farm is visible on Greenwood's map of London dated 1827.
Earls Court was largely a waste ground before the introduction of the two railway stations. The idea of introducing an entertainment venue to the grounds was brought about by an entrepreneur called John Robinson Whitley, who sealed the grounds fate in entertainment by introducing Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and a huge observation wheel to the grounds in the late 19th century.
The Earls Court Gigantic wheel was 300ft high (the London Eye
is approximately 450ft high) and was built in 1896. It was not dismantled until the winter or 1906/7 where a local company cut up the wheel and used for scrap. During it's time, the wheel only broke down once when it got stuck shortly after opening with sixty or seventy passengers on board. They remained stuck until noon the next day and received £5 5s in compensation, which was a substantial sum in those times.
Another major attraction at the Earls Court arena was Captain Paul Boyton
's water chute which was constructed in 1899. The Captain flooded the arena in 1893 and built the 70ft high chute backing on to Lillie Road at today's West Brompton entrance. The ride was considered to be the biggest ride of its kind on either side of the Atlantic.
Some of the early exhibitions and shows that took place when Earls Court was an open arena include: The Empire of India Exhibition in 1896, The Victorian Era Exhibition in 1897, The Military Exhibition in 1901, Paris in London Exhibition in 1902, the International Fire Exhibition in 1903 and Venice by Night in 1904.
After the company became Earls Court Ltd, the showground’s fell into decline. Four or five events were staged before the war broke out and closed them. Shortly after taking over, Earls Court Ltd surrendered its lease and went into liquidation. The centre was turned into a home for over 1300 refugees, predominately from Belgian. After 1919, the London General Omnibus Company
took up the surrounding area and used it as a depot for unwanted buses. Occasionally, fairs and circuses used the site to entertain but they came and went.
In 1935, it was suggested that the British Government take the initiative and build an exhibition centre specifically for the British Industries Fair. The idea was originally refused as it was deemed extremely wasteful to have a building stood empty for 11 months of the year.
A group of industrialists took action in late 1935 and drew up their own proposals for a new exhibition and event centre at Earls Court. The problem that they had was that the grounds are crossed by four separate sets of railway tracks. However, plans were created and it was decided that on top of the tracks, a giant steel and concrete building was to be erected.
Sir Ralph Glyn, who was chairman of Earls Court Ltd, had laid down some basic requirements:
The building must provide a total of 42,000 sqm of exhibition floor space on no more than two levels.
Seating for 23,000 in a column free auditorium over looking an arena , in the middle of which must be a giant pool
The entire auditorium including the pool and seating to be convertible at speed to flat floor exhibition space
There must be parking on site for 2,000 cars.
The idea was to construct a show centre to rival any other in the world and to dominate the nearby Olympia exhibition hall. It was designed by architect C. Howard Crane. The plan was to create Europe's largest structure by volume. The project did not go exactly to plan; it ran over budget and was late in completion.
After the success of the Chocolate and Confectionary show and the Motor Show shortly after the centres opening, Earls Court held a spectacular blockbuster for the winter of 1938. The Winter Cavalcade was held in the December and featured a gigantic ski run that reached 100ft into the rood and ran the length of the arena. This is not unlike the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show that we have today at Olympia. There were lots to see and do at the show, including an ice rink, a yodeller and an alpine sunset set to music from Peer Gynt. In spite of the looming war, 350,000 people came to see the show.
.
After war broke out, Earls Court was soon used for the manufacture and repair of London’s air defence balloon barrage. Giant ‘blimps’ were inflated and tested under the 118ft ceiling. Earls Court did not suffer any damage during the war, but the nearby West Brompton station was destroyed by incendiary bombs.
and The Radio Show followed in 1950.
After the development of the National Exhibition Centre
(NEC) in Birmingham was confirmed in early 1972, the AEO
(Association of Exhibition Organisers) pushed for Earls Court and Olympia to merge together to create a London based version of the NEC. Property Tycoon Jeffrey Sterling made a bid for £4.4million for Earls Court and a week later, he bought a huge stake in Olympia. Earls Court & Olympia Ltd was born!
In July 1979, the Greater London Council
contributed £5m for an improvement programme for Earls Court. This added to the £1.5m that the new owners had put together that would make the vital improvements to the dilapidated hall.
The striking new barrel-roofed hall which links with Earls Court One via folding shutters is large enough to hold four jumbo jets, and the hall's 17,000 square metre floor is entirely column-free. The hall was opened by Diana, Princess of Wales
on 17 October 1991 for the Motorfair. Earls Court 2 is situated on part of the former Lillie Bridge.
. Harvey Goldsmith
’s courageous and visionary gamble caused The Times to reflect that it made the Royal Albert Hall
look like a studio theatre. The audience loved it and Goldsmith returned the following year with a production of Carmen and the Aida again in 1998.
's annual pop music
awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym
for British Record Industry Trust. In addition, an equivalent awards ceremony for classical music
, called the Classic BRIT Awards, is held each May.
First held at Earls Court in 1997, and then from 2000-2010. The awards show moved to the O2 Arena in 2011.
The venue is still one of the most popular arenas to play in the UK, with a capacity of around 19,000, including standing room, meaning it is often chosen over venues such as Wembley Arena by bands with a large fan base. Musicians who have played at the venue include:
, having previously done so in 1908
and in 1948
.
Earls Court will host the Volleyball
arena from the 28 July – 12 August 2012.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is a central London borough of Royal borough status. After the City of Westminster, it is the wealthiest borough in England....
. It is the largest exhibition venue in central London. It is served by two underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
stations, Earl's Court
Earl's Court tube station
Earl's Court tube station is a London Underground station in Earls Court. The station is located between Earls Court Road and Warwick Road . It is on the boundary of Travelcard Zone 1 and 2 and is in both zones....
and West Brompton
West Brompton station
West Brompton is a Network Rail West London Line and London Underground District Line station in west London. It is located on Old Brompton Road immediately south of Earls Court Exhibition Centre and to the west of Brompton Cemetery....
, opposite its entrances on Warwick Road and the Old Brompton Road. Earls Court and nearby Olympia
Olympia, London
Olympia is an exhibition centre and conference centre in West Kensington, on the boundary between The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham, London, W14 8UX, England. It opened in the 19th century and was originally known as the National Agricultural Hall.Opened in 1886,...
are operated by EC&O Venues.
Construction
Earls Court was once a rural area covered with green fields and market gardens. The Saxon thegn Edwin had been the owner before the Norman Conquest. For over 500 years the land, part of the ancient manor of Kensington, was under the lordship of the Vere family, Earls of Oxford and descendants of Aubrey de Vere IAubrey de Vere I
Aubrey de Vere was a tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror in 1086 and also vassal to Geoffrey de Montbray, bishop of Coutances and to Count Alan, lord of Richmond. A much later source named his father as Alphonsus...
, who held the manor of Geoffrey de Montbray
Geoffrey de Montbray
Geoffrey de Montbray , bishop of Coutances , a right-hand man of William the Conqueror, was a type of the great feudal prelate, warrior and administrator at need....
, bishop of Coutances, in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
in 1086. By circa 1095, his tenure had been converted, and he held Kensington directly of the crown. The earls held their manorial court where Old Manor Yard is now, just by the London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
station. Earl's Court Farm is visible on Greenwood's map of London dated 1827.
Earls Court was largely a waste ground before the introduction of the two railway stations. The idea of introducing an entertainment venue to the grounds was brought about by an entrepreneur called John Robinson Whitley, who sealed the grounds fate in entertainment by introducing Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and a huge observation wheel to the grounds in the late 19th century.
The Earls Court Gigantic wheel was 300ft high (the London Eye
London Eye
The London Eye is a tall giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England.It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually...
is approximately 450ft high) and was built in 1896. It was not dismantled until the winter or 1906/7 where a local company cut up the wheel and used for scrap. During it's time, the wheel only broke down once when it got stuck shortly after opening with sixty or seventy passengers on board. They remained stuck until noon the next day and received £5 5s in compensation, which was a substantial sum in those times.
Another major attraction at the Earls Court arena was Captain Paul Boyton
Paul Boyton
Paul Boyton , known as the Fearless Frogman, was a showman and adventurer some credit as having spurred worldwide interest in water sports as a hobby, particularly open-water swimming...
's water chute which was constructed in 1899. The Captain flooded the arena in 1893 and built the 70ft high chute backing on to Lillie Road at today's West Brompton entrance. The ride was considered to be the biggest ride of its kind on either side of the Atlantic.
Some of the early exhibitions and shows that took place when Earls Court was an open arena include: The Empire of India Exhibition in 1896, The Victorian Era Exhibition in 1897, The Military Exhibition in 1901, Paris in London Exhibition in 1902, the International Fire Exhibition in 1903 and Venice by Night in 1904.
After the company became Earls Court Ltd, the showground’s fell into decline. Four or five events were staged before the war broke out and closed them. Shortly after taking over, Earls Court Ltd surrendered its lease and went into liquidation. The centre was turned into a home for over 1300 refugees, predominately from Belgian. After 1919, the London General Omnibus Company
London General Omnibus Company
The London General Omnibus Company or LGOC, was the principal bus operator in London between 1855 and 1933. It was also, for a short period between 1909 and 1912, a motor bus manufacturer.- Overview :...
took up the surrounding area and used it as a depot for unwanted buses. Occasionally, fairs and circuses used the site to entertain but they came and went.
In 1935, it was suggested that the British Government take the initiative and build an exhibition centre specifically for the British Industries Fair. The idea was originally refused as it was deemed extremely wasteful to have a building stood empty for 11 months of the year.
A group of industrialists took action in late 1935 and drew up their own proposals for a new exhibition and event centre at Earls Court. The problem that they had was that the grounds are crossed by four separate sets of railway tracks. However, plans were created and it was decided that on top of the tracks, a giant steel and concrete building was to be erected.
Sir Ralph Glyn, who was chairman of Earls Court Ltd, had laid down some basic requirements:
The building must provide a total of 42,000 sqm of exhibition floor space on no more than two levels.
Seating for 23,000 in a column free auditorium over looking an arena , in the middle of which must be a giant pool
The entire auditorium including the pool and seating to be convertible at speed to flat floor exhibition space
There must be parking on site for 2,000 cars.
The idea was to construct a show centre to rival any other in the world and to dominate the nearby Olympia exhibition hall. It was designed by architect C. Howard Crane. The plan was to create Europe's largest structure by volume. The project did not go exactly to plan; it ran over budget and was late in completion.
Early Shows
Earls Court finally opened its doors to the public for the Chocolate and Confectionery exhibition on 1 September 1937. The Motor Show and Commercial Vehicle show soon followed. In spite of all the problems in the latter part of construction, the project was completed at a cost of £1.5 million. This building is now usually referred to as Earls Court One.After the success of the Chocolate and Confectionary show and the Motor Show shortly after the centres opening, Earls Court held a spectacular blockbuster for the winter of 1938. The Winter Cavalcade was held in the December and featured a gigantic ski run that reached 100ft into the rood and ran the length of the arena. This is not unlike the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show that we have today at Olympia. There were lots to see and do at the show, including an ice rink, a yodeller and an alpine sunset set to music from Peer Gynt. In spite of the looming war, 350,000 people came to see the show.
World War Two
Earls Court was on its knees in 1939. Cancellation notices were readied as Britain prepared for war in July of that year. Sir Oswald Mosley packed Earls Court on the 16th July with a final rant to the British Union of FascistsBritish Union of Fascists
The British Union was a political party in the United Kingdom formed in 1932 by Sir Oswald Mosley as the British Union of Fascists, in 1936 it changed its name to the British Union of Fascists and National Socialists and then in 1937 to simply the British Union...
.
After war broke out, Earls Court was soon used for the manufacture and repair of London’s air defence balloon barrage. Giant ‘blimps’ were inflated and tested under the 118ft ceiling. Earls Court did not suffer any damage during the war, but the nearby West Brompton station was destroyed by incendiary bombs.
Post War - the birth of EC&O
After the war had ended, Earls Court won important new shows. Following a thin start in 1947 where only the British Industries Fair and the Motor Show were contracted, Earls Court won an Aqua Show the following year featuring Johnny ‘Tarzan’ Weissmuller and Esther Williams. The Royal Smithfield Show came across from Islington’s Agricultural Hall in 1949 and the Royal TournamentRoyal Tournament
The Royal Tournament was the World's largest military tattoo and pageant, held by the British Armed Forces annually between 1880 and 1999. The venue was originally the Royal Agricultural Hall and latterly the Earls Court Exhibition Centre...
and The Radio Show followed in 1950.
After the development of the National Exhibition Centre
National Exhibition Centre
The National Exhibition Centre is an exhibition centre in Birmingham, England. It is near junction 6 of the M42 motorway, and is adjacent to Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International railway station. It has 20 interconnected halls, set in grounds of 628 acres making it the...
(NEC) in Birmingham was confirmed in early 1972, the AEO
AEO
* Authorized Economic Operator, a WCO standard to secure and facilitate global trade* American Eagle Outfitters, an American clothing and accessories retailer* Appearance Event Ordination, a dating system for land mammal fossils...
(Association of Exhibition Organisers) pushed for Earls Court and Olympia to merge together to create a London based version of the NEC. Property Tycoon Jeffrey Sterling made a bid for £4.4million for Earls Court and a week later, he bought a huge stake in Olympia. Earls Court & Olympia Ltd was born!
In July 1979, the Greater London Council
Greater London Council
The Greater London Council was the top-tier local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986. It replaced the earlier London County Council which had covered a much smaller area...
contributed £5m for an improvement programme for Earls Court. This added to the £1.5m that the new owners had put together that would make the vital improvements to the dilapidated hall.
Earls Court Two
In 1983, Jeffrey Sterling’s company merged with P&O and he became the chairman of the shipping, construction, property and services giant. The need for extra space was realised and the plans for the £100million Earls Court Two were drawn up.The striking new barrel-roofed hall which links with Earls Court One via folding shutters is large enough to hold four jumbo jets, and the hall's 17,000 square metre floor is entirely column-free. The hall was opened by Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
on 17 October 1991 for the Motorfair. Earls Court 2 is situated on part of the former Lillie Bridge.
Music at Earls Court
A cycle of grand opera began at Earls Court in 1988 with AidaAida
Aida sometimes spelled Aïda, is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette...
. Harvey Goldsmith
Harvey Goldsmith
Harvey Goldsmith CBE is a British performing arts promoter. He is best known as promoter of rock concerts, charity concerts, television broadcasts for the Prince's Trust and more recently the Teenage Cancer Trust shows at the Royal Albert Hall.During early 2007 he appeared on the Channel 4...
’s courageous and visionary gamble caused The Times to reflect that it made the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
look like a studio theatre. The audience loved it and Goldsmith returned the following year with a production of Carmen and the Aida again in 1998.
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards (stylised as the BRIT Awards; often simply called the Brits) are the British Phonographic IndustryBritish Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
's annual pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym
Backronym
A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed purposely, such that an acronym can be formed to a specific desired word. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology....
for British Record Industry Trust. In addition, an equivalent awards ceremony for classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, called the Classic BRIT Awards, is held each May.
First held at Earls Court in 1997, and then from 2000-2010. The awards show moved to the O2 Arena in 2011.
The venue is still one of the most popular arenas to play in the UK, with a capacity of around 19,000, including standing room, meaning it is often chosen over venues such as Wembley Arena by bands with a large fan base. Musicians who have played at the venue include:
- Pink FloydPink FloydPink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
performed the Dark Side of the Moon suite on 18/19 May 1973 to two sell out gigs. The band also played six nights 4-9 of August 1980 for its performances of The Wall. The exercise was repeated one year later as the band played five nights 13-17 of June 1981 for attempts at filming and recording the live Wall performances, which were later released on Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall Live 1980-81. In 1994 the band played on 14 October their first of a record-breaking 14 nights at this venue and was filmed and recorded on P•U•L•S•E (album) & P•U•L•S•E (film). However one night of the concert was forced to be cancelled, after a section of seating in the arena collapsed during the show, injuring several people. - SladeSladeSlade are an English rock band from Wolverhampton, who rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 1970s. With 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six number ones, the British Hit Singles & Albums names them as the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles...
performed to 19,000 on 1 July 1973. The show was filmed but has never been released. - Led ZeppelinLed ZeppelinLed Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
performed for five sold out nights in May 1975. Footage from the concerts was filmed and was released twenty eight years later on the Led Zeppelin DVD. This series of concerts is widely considered by fans to be amongst the best of the band's career.[1] - The Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
performed six nights of 21-23 May and 24-26 May 1976 as part of their "Tour of Europe '76" - QueenQueen-In government and monarchy:* Queen regnant, a female monarch of equivalent power to a male king* Any of the three currently living queens regnant:** Beatrix of the Netherlands , Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands comprising the Netherlands, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and Aruba** Elizabeth...
performed 6/7 June 1977 and filmed footage has been widely bootlegged. - GenesisGenesisThe Book of Genesis , is the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament....
performed on 23-25 June 1977, six sold out shows in November 1992 (videoed for The Way We Walk DVD) and one show in 1998. - SupertrampSupertrampSupertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
performed three nights in May 1983 on their Famous Last Words tour which was their final tour with member Roger Hodgson. - OasisOasisIn geography, an oasis or cienega is an isolated area of vegetation in a desert, typically surrounding a spring or similar water source...
performed on 4/5 November 1995 and 25-27 September 1997 - The WhoThe WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
performed Quadrophenia on 6/7 December 1996. - Celine DionCeline DionCéline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
performed on 13/14 June 1997 at the end of her successful Falling into you tour 8 months after the 15 day Sell Out UK tour in 1996. On Completing these dates she had sung to 200,000 fans in the UK. - R.E.M. performed on 22/23 June 1999 as part of their 'Up' tour
- Spice GirlsSpice GirlsThe Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
performed five nights in December 1999 - Iron MaidenIron MaidenIron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
performed in June 2000 as part of their "Brave New World" tour in support of their reunion album Brave New World and returned in December of 2003 as part of their "Death on the Road" tour which was in support of the album Dance of Death. And twice again on the 22nd and 23rd December 2006 as the final dates of their A Matter Of Life And Death world tour. - U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
performed 4 sold out shows during August 2001 on their Elevation Tour. - MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
played 6 consecutive nights at the venue as part of her 2001 Drowned World Tour. - WestlifeWestlifeWestlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
performed 5 shows from the 28th May to the 1st June 2002. - Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
performed April 19 2003 - RadioheadRadioheadRadiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
performed on 26/27 November 2003 - Fleetwood MacFleetwood MacFleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
performed on 29/30 November and 10 December 2003 - StereophonicsStereophonicsThe Stereophonics are a Welsh rock band now living in turners x that formed in 1992 in the village of Cwmaman in Cynon Valley, Wales. The band currently comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Kelly Jones, bassist and backing vocalist Richard Jones, drummer Javier Weyler, guitarist and backing...
performed 16/17 December 2003 - MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
performed on 12 October 1996 as part of the Poor Touring Me tour and again on 19th and 20th December 2003 as there only UK indoor dates on the Madly In Anger With The World Tour. - MorrisseyMorrisseySteven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
performed 18 December 2004 and later released as Live at Earls Court. - MuseMuseThe Muses in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths...
performed on 19th and 20th December 2004 and later released some of the video footage on their Absolution Tour DVD in 2005. - Kylie MinogueKylie MinogueKylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
played 7 nights from 30 April to 2 May and 4-7 May 2005 - ColdplayColdplayColdplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
performed 14-16 December 2005. - Foo FightersFoo FightersFoo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
performed 17th and 18th December 2005 - Duran DuranDuran DuranDuran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
played on 22nd and 23rd December 2005, as the final dates of the Astronaut world tour. - Give It a Name festival was held on 29th and 30th April 2006
- Red Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
performed July 14-18 2006. - George MichaelGeorge MichaelGeorge Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
performed from the 25th to the 29th November 2006 - Kasabian played on 19 December 2006.
- RazorlightRazorlightRazorlight are a UK based indie rock band formed in 2002. They are primarily known in the UK, having topped the charts with the 2006 single "America" and its parent self-titled album, their second...
played on 8 April 2007. - Give It A Name festival was held there the 27th, 28th and 29th of April 2007.
- Roger Waters, formerly of Pink Floyd played his Dark Side of the Moon tour on 11/12 May 2007, the latter gig included Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.
- Kaiser ChiefsKaiser ChiefsKaiser Chiefs are an English indie rock band from Leeds who formed in 1996. They were named after the South African football club Kaizer Chiefs....
played two nights on the 14th and 15th December 2007. - Give It A Name festival was held at Earl's Court on the 10th and 11th of May 2008. Headliners included Paramore, 30 Seconds to Mars, Plain White T's and Billy Talent.
- Janet JacksonJanet JacksonJanet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
was supposed to perform two nights in a row at the venue on December 11 and December 12, 2001 during her All for You Tour. Eventually, the entire European leg of the highly anticipated tour was canceled due to security issues as a consequence of 9/11. - George MichaelGeorge MichaelGeorge Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
performed on the 24th and 25th August 2008. - MadnessMadnessMadness may refer to:*Insanity, a severe mental disorder typically stemming from a form of mental illness*Madness , a British ska/pop band**Madness , 1983 release by the band...
performed on the 17th December 2010 - Deadmau5Deadmau5Joel Thomas Zimmerman , better known by his stage name deadmau5 , is a Canadian progressive, electro, and house producer based in Toronto...
performed on 18th December 2010 - T4T4- In airports and airlines :* The IATA airline code for Hellas Jet* Madrid Barajas Airport Terminal 4* London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4- In biology and medicine :* T4 phage, a bacteriophage* Thyroxine , a form of thyroid hormones* The T4 spinal nerve...
Stars of 2010 and 2011 have also taken place at Earls Court
2012 Summer Olympic Games
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad, are scheduled to take place in London, England, from 27 July to 12 August 2012. London will become the first city to officially host the modern Olympic Games three timesLondon Olympics
London has hosted the Olympic Games on two past occasions, in 1908 and 1948, with a third scheduled for 2012. The planned 2012 Olympics will make London the first city to have hosted the modern Games of three Olympiads...
, having previously done so in 1908
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
and in 1948
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
.
Earls Court will host the Volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
arena from the 28 July – 12 August 2012.
Redevelopment plans
The owners of Earls Court and Olympia are Capital and Counties. They are presently in discussion with the boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to demolish the existing centre and redevelop the area with up to 8000 new flats, retail and possibly a new convention centre. However this is expected to take many years work and the latest date scheduled is June 2013.External links
- Earls Court and Olympia Official Venue Website
- Corporate Website Earls Court Exhibition Centre Corporate Site
- Satellite View of Earls Court Google Satellite Image of Earls Court