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Concert giants Live Nation take controlling stake in Sands Heritage – owner of Margate’s Dreamland which hosts Limp Bizkit, Simple Minds and Bryan Adams in 2024

By: Max Chesson mchesson@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 12:22, 16 December 2023

Updated: 10:24, 17 December 2023

One of the county’s top live music venues is set to continue attracting the biggest performers after a global concert giant took a controlling stake in the site.

A subsidiary of entertainment titans Live Nation – LN-Gaiety – has acquired a significant controlling interest in Sands Heritage, owner of Margate’s Dreamland.

Vintage fairground Dreamland in Margate. Picture: Dreamland

According to financial details logged at Companies House, LN-Gaiety – which is a joint venture between Live Nation and MCD Production’s Gaiety – now owns a controlling interest of 75% or more of the shares in Sands Heritage.

Signed off by executives on Thursday, the move will see some of the company’s most influential decision-makers involved at the seafront space.

They include Lynn Lavelle and Stuart Douglas who have worked on the likes of the Isle of Wight and Boomtown festivals.

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Sands Heritage bought the attraction from Thanet District Council in 2020.

Since then, Dreamland has developed a reputation as a live music venue – with both indoor and outdoor stages – as much as its theme park heritage.

Sir Tom Jones on stage in Margate's Dreamland

The 7,000-capacity venue has played host to some of the biggest names, with performers over recent years including the likes of Noel Gallagher, Gorillaz, Paul Weller, James, Sir Tom Jones and Busted.

The move comes just months after bosses at the venue admitted they wanted to see Dreamland host as many as 40 shows in 2024.

It has been made possible following a successful licensing bid in February.

Big names already confirmed for 2024 include Madness, Bryan Adams, Simple Minds and Limp Bizkit – among many others.

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