Major acts bring music and visitors to Keighley stadium
The Keighley Cougars' home ground was converted into a festival arena over the weekend as JLS and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell headlined the two-night Cougar Live event. Promoters and club owners said the concerts were well attended and marked a significant use of the stadium for large-scale entertainment.
Organisers laid on food and drink outlets, entertainment zones and VIP facilities as part of the weekend, aiming to provide a full festival experience while keeping the acts on local doorsteps. The stadium has been in the ownership of Ryan O’Neill and his husband Kaue Garcia for seven years, and they told local reporters the weekend was a first for the club.
"It was something we'd never done before and it involved a huge amount of preparation and work. It really came off and people enjoyed themselves," said Ryan O’Neill.
O’Neill said that many who attended had expected lower-scale performances but were surprised by the quality of the line-up. He added that staging concerts at Cougar Park was intended both to bring entertainment to the town and to make better use of the stadium, which he felt was previously under-used.
Performances and atmosphere
JLS opened the festival with a set drawing on their back catalogue and well-known hits. The quartet — Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Oritsé Williams and JB Gill — energised the crowd and were supported by indie rock act Toploader. The group's appearance attracted fans from across Yorkshire and beyond.
On the second night, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell performed a selection of reggae classics, delivering a set praised by attendees. Photographs from the weekend show packed crowds and a lively atmosphere around the pitch and fan zones.
Local benefits and organisers' aims
Organisers said the festival offered an opportunity to boost Keighley's profile as a venue for major live events and to encourage people to socialise locally. They also highlighted the potential economic benefits for the town from visitors spending on hospitality and retail.
- Venue: Cougar Park, Keighley
- Duration: two nights (Friday and Saturday)
- Headliners: JLS (opening night), UB40 featuring Ali Campbell (second night)
- Supporting acts included Toploader
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisers | Keighley Cougars club owners and event team |
| Facilities | Food and drink outlets, entertainment areas, VIP experiences |
| Purpose | Bring major live acts to local audiences; promote stadium use |
While organisers described the weekend as a success, they also noted the intensive preparation required to convert a rugby stadium into a festival site. The club's intention to repeat similar events in future will depend on logistics, demand and the financial viability of such shows.
For local residents and businesses, the event offered both entertainment and an influx of visitors over the weekend. Club owners said they hoped Cougar Live would become part of Keighley's calendar of events should further shows prove sustainable.
