Dido concert in Marlay Park expected to attract 17,500 fans

Despite predictions of heavy showers, a crowd of 17,500 is expected to watch British pop star Dido perform tonight at Marlay Park, in Dublin.

Tickets for the event, the last of three concerts held in the park since Saturday, were still on sale yesterday at €55, from Ticketmaster.

A vendor on Internet auction site, ebay, claims to have a ticket for $20, but it had attracted no bids yesterday. The event was also still being heavily promoted on radio.

However concert promoter Mr Justin Green of MCD was confident it would be a sell-out gig.

"There may be a few tickets left, but it's effectively sold out - but all three of the concerts have sold out, we're very happy how Marlay Park has gone this year."

Dido, supported by New York group, Scissor Sisters and British singer songwriter, Aqualung, will be the final act of a three concert festival which began last Saturday with Irish group, The Frames. Detroit Duo, The White Stripes, played in the park last night at another sell-out gig.

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said there had been very few complaints locally about the concerts.

"I had one call to my office about the sound on Saturday night, but all the residents associations locally have my number and there have been no objections from them," Mr Richard Shakespeare, senior executive officer with the council, said.

The sound at the concerts was continuously monitored and the venue was licensed for a capacity of just 20,000, he said.

"Since concerts started there with David Gray in 2001, there have been sporadic complaints and disturbances but the events are very well policed."

Car parking for the concerts is free and there had been few traffic problems so far, Mr Shakespeare said.

The council plans to use the proceeds from this year's concerts to build a children's playground in the park.