Sometimes in life, you have a choice where breaking the rules is the only good option.
Tottenham was just faced with such a decision, and they made the right call by opting for more Beyoncé concerts even as they left local government figures “disappointed” by doing so.
The issue is simple: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is in Haringey, one of London’s many boroughs, and the license agreement allowing the team to play there also allows for them to host up to six concerts in a calendar year.
Meanwhile, Tottenham had booked Beyoncé’s massive Renaissance tour, which was set to come to Spurs’ home stadium on May 29-30, June 1, and June 3. But London is a massive global city, and Beyoncé is Beyoncé; four nights is not enough. Everyone can agree on that as fact and not simply an example of editorializing from a staff writer.
So the logical move was to just book one more night, and that’s exactly what happened: back in February, it was announced that Beyoncé will play a June 4 show. If you want to go, you better hurry, and you better be ready to spend: general admission tickets are already sold out, and the BBC is reporting that the remaining premium tickets left start at £349.
There’s just one problem: Tottenham had also booked the Red Hot Chili Peppers for July 21, and Wizkid for July 29. The extra Beyoncé show would be a seventh concert, in violation of Tottenham’s pact with the Haringey council.
Tottenham burdened by paperwork
Announcing the show and selling thousands of tickets is a classic example of being more willing to ask for forgiveness than permission, and that appears to be Tottenham’s strategy.
Dana Carlin, the cabinet member for planning at Haringey Council, said that the council has told the team that the extra show will require some work on their end.
“Tottenham Hotspur have been advised that they must engage with the community, ward councillors and submit a planning application,” Carlin told the BBC. “We are disappointed that we have got to this stage.”
Still, no matter the frustration from the council, the power of Beyoncé is such that it appears all parties want this to end with a fifth show for the pop icon. The Haringey Council is reportedly going to work with Tottenham through the process to reach a resolution.
“Welcoming global superstars, like Beyoncé, will attract thousands of music fans and benefits our local businesses,” said Carlin.
[lawrence-related id=12758,7671,12681]