Diamond set to sparkle in city as he announces first Welsh date

Jan 21 2008 by Gavin O'Connor, South Wales Echo

NEIL Diamond will perform for the first time in Wales after an extra date at the Millennium Stadium was added to his UK tour.

The New York-born star, who celebrates his 67th birthday on Thursday, is also appearing in Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Diamond is one of the most successful singer/songwriters of all time with worldwide record sales reaching 120 million and famous hits such as Sweet Caroline and Love On The Rocks.

Diamond last played in the UK three years ago but the nearest he has come to performing in Wales was a concert at Ashton Gate, Bristol, in 2005.

He will appear in Cardiff on June 19.

On this tour he will be performing songs spanning his entire career and UK fans will be the first in the world to hear the performances from his forthcoming as-yet-untitled album.

Tickets are £45 and go on sale on Friday.

“Neil Diamond is one of the great in-concert artists of our time,” said Barry Clayman, senior vice-president of promotions for Live Nation UK.

“We are honoured to present him in the UK in 2008.”

Contact the Millennium Stadium ticket hotline on 08705 582 582 for more information.