Wembley comes to Wales; TOP NAMES BOOKED TO PLAY AT MILLENNIUM BOWL

A MULTI-MILLION pound pop bonanza for Wales is heading to the Millennium Stadium as Wembley is bull-dozed.

Top names from around the world are queueing up to play concerts at Cardiff's showpiece arena.

The Millennium Stadium is set to take over as Britain's leading outdoor venue when Wembley is flattened next year.

Stars setting their touring schedules for next summer all want to perform at the pounds 126million home of Welsh rugby.

Welsh rock favourites the Manic Street Preachers will start the rush by being the first to play at the stadium on Millennium Eve. Pop queen Tina Turner is the latest superstar to declare the stadium "simply the best" after booking a show for July.

The Spice Girls are pencilled in to play there two weeks later.

George Michael, Elton John and Michael Jackson are all being linked with the 72,000-seater stadium. Rugby World Cup put the stadium on the map of major venues after three billion people saw the final between Australia and Wales.

Welsh Tourist Board spokeswoman Catrin Harris said: "We are aware of the global interest in the Millennium Stadium. Wembley is closing next year, their loss will be our gain." The Cardiff stadium has two years to establish itself as a concert venue while Wembley is being rebuilt.

Ms Harries said: "We have got our fingers crossed for the FA Cup final and other top European sporting events."

Stadium officials confirmed they are in negotiations to stage several major world sporting events due to be announced before the end of the year.

And they said the major selling point to promoters is the stadium's all-weather facilities, the sliding roof can be closed in just 20 minutes.

The first non-sporting event at the stadium has already sold out.

Cliff Richard and Welsh opera star Bryn Terfel will join a choir of 72,500 for the Millennium edition of TV's Songs of Praise on January 2.

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