As cities grow and redefine themselves, they often look to iconic landmarks as representations of their journey. For Hull, one such landmark has been its largest indoor entertainment venue. Originally christened ‘Hull Venue’ during its construction phase, it soon embraced the sponsorship from local electrical company, Bonus Electrical, becoming the ‘Bonus Arena’ for the past five years. A recent change, just three weeks ago, saw local broadband firm Connexin rebrand it to ‘Connexin Live’.
Celebrating its fifth anniversary on the 30th of August 2023, Connexin Live stands as a testament to Hull’s dedication to cultural enrichment, a momentum significantly buoyed by the City of Culture 2017 award.
Sam Ryder, General Manager at Connexin Live, reminisced about its journey, “It’s been an incredible five years since Van Morrison performed at the official opening on 30 August 2018. I remember the excitement of that day clearly. We’ve gone from strength to strength since then with fantastic support from the people of Hull. I’m looking forward to marking the anniversary and welcoming thousands more people to Connexin Live over the coming weeks and months.”
Sceptics once debated the venue’s size, with visions of a grander arena. But had Hull built a 10-15,000 seater venue, the challenges would have been manifold. Such a venue would go head-to-head with major arenas in bigger cities, competing for the same talent and audience. But Connexin Live’s modest size allows it to complement, not compete. Artists often use it as a launchpad before headlining larger venues, ensuring Hull residents enjoy world-class performances right at their doorstep.
This venue has beckoned artists who previously might have sidestepped Hull. Now, in the intimate ambience of Connexin Live, they offer an unparalleled live experience. Moreover, the future looks promising. The arena is set to host stars like Jimmy Carr, Mrs Brown’s Boys, Russell Howard, and Donny Osmond in the latter part of 2023, with 2024 promising performances from Bowling For Soup, Michael McIntyre, Sarah Millican, Diversity, and Bluey, to name a few.
More than just concerts, Connexin Live has been about memories, community spirit, and the championing of local businesses. It’s a reminder that it isn’t about sheer size, but the perfect fit – and for Hull, Connexin Live has been precisely that. With its progression from Hull Venue to Bonus Arena, and now Connexin Live, this arena stands as a symbol of Hull’s adaptability, resilience, and forward momentum.
