Following major refurbishment in 2006, O2 Academy Bournemouth launched in September 2009 with The xx supporting and Florence and the Machine showing off the acoustics of this magnificent theatre. The Daily Echo exclaimed, “the real winner has to be the region's music fans who can now count the O2 Academy as another great live music venue on their doorstep”. Since opening, the venue has hosted music, comedy, sporting and corporate events, with some of the biggest names to grace the stage including Jeff Beck, Queens of the Stone Age, Rita Ora and Disclosure.