Reopened Cirque Royal attracts 125,000 concert-goers

Brussels' Cirque Royal concert venue attracted 125,000 spectators in its first year since reopening following major upgrades, the City of Brussels has announced.

Kylie Minogue, Hooverphonic and Slash were among the artists to perform at the newly renovated concert hall, which was shut down in August 2017 for €3.6 million of fire safety renovations after an inspection revealed it was in a dangerous state.

The Botanique not-for-profit assocation lost the concession to run the venue in June 2017. Cirque Royal reopened in September 2018 under the management of the City of Brussels property department.

The City had hoped to attract 65 performances to the venue in its first year - and ended up with 100 events booked. About half of concert-goers were Brussels residents, with the other half split evenly among Walloons and Flemish.

Some 160 shows are scheduled to take place at the Cirque Royal in the coming year. The City is also investing €600,000 to transform a space in the basement, underneath the main hall, into a more intimate venue accommodating 300 people, which will be used for smaller concerts, showcases and rehearsals.