The new Swansea Arena will attract world class acts, boost businesses in the city centre and help showcase the amazing wealth of home-grown talent, according to city-based performers.
The 3,500-capacity arena is one feature of the £135m Copr Bay phase one district.
It is due to welcome its first star on Tuesday when comedian John Bishop takes to the stage.
Rock band Royal Blood will then be the first major music act to perform at the arena on Saturday March 19.
Test events featuring local bands have already taken place with Trampolene (pictured) headlining the first night.
Lead singer and guitarist Jack Jones said: "Every time I looked out at the crowd I couldn't believe my eyes. The people of Swansea have been waiting for a place like this, and now it's here we've never been more ready to embrace it.
"The stage was so huge I needed binoculars to see my other band members! It was surreal. We enjoyed the backstage. The sound-check. Everything.
"The staff and techs and everyone there was buzzing with excitement and dedicated to making it a great night - and it showed.
"It was an honour to play a part in opening the arena, and I wanna send a huge wave of love and appreciation to all the souls who must have put their blood sweat and tears into putting it together."
The Copr Bay phase one district is being developed by Swansea Council and development managed by RivingtonHark. Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd is leading on its construction, with Ambassador Theatre Group operating the arena.
Musician Steve Balsamo said: "I'm very excited about Swansea Arena. Not only will it attract some amazing bands and music to the city, with the very needed knock-on to local businesses, but we will have an opportunity to showcase some of the amazing Swansea bands.
"I really hope that there will be a chance for our artist to support bigger acts on their way to one day headlining shows".
Singer, songwriter and radio host Mal Pope added: "This is such an exciting development for the city. The size and state-of-the-art nature of the arena means that we will now have a chance to see world class bands back in the heart of Swansea again."
Actor, writer and director Richard Mylan, who together with fellow Swansea-based professional artists Steve Balsamo, Michelle McTernan and Christian Patterson and supported by Swansea Council, has just launched Grand Ambition that will bring exciting new productions to Swansea Grand Theatre, says Swansea Arena will further enhance the city as destination.
He said:
"The opening of the new Swansea Arena marks an extremely exciting addition to our city's cultural landscape. A multipurpose, cutting edge performance space that will elevate output level & creates an opportunity for other venues to diversify further.
"I've always been a champion of this project - it bolsters our status as a premier artistic destination in Wales. I cannot wait to see it at full capacity, both as a fan & fellow programmer."
The arena element of Copr Bay is part-funded by the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal.
Source
Swanses Council
