HUNDREDS of crew are working to transform a sports arena for one of the year’s biggest rock shows.

Work is underway to transform the Stadium of Light ahead of Monday’s concert by the Grammy award-winning American rock band The Foo Fighters performing to a 50,000–strong crowd.

Indie rock band The Kaiser Chiefs and upcoming Irish blues rock band The Strypes will also be performing.

The stadium played host to Sunderland Football Club’s final home game of the season against Leicester on Saturday and must undergo an extensive temporary renovation before the concert in just a few days time.

The vast infrastructure required to host the show is being installed, and a special surface is being laid to protect the pitch. Crowd barriers, handrails, LED boards and advertising hoardings have been removed from around the playing field.

An external courtyard area, where fans will be able to enjoy pre-show entertainment, fast food and drinks, is also under construction.

Facilities manager Peter Weymes said: “There’s a huge amount of work involved in preparing the stadium for the concerts and getting it ready for the arrival of the band.

“The stadium team are working hard and pulling together to make sure we will be in a fantastic shape for the concert and I’m delighted with the Facilities Team, who are, as usual, going the extra mile to deliver a fantastic event.”

Fears that the concert could be disrupted by the National Rail strike have been squashed after rail unions cancelled at the last minute.

Prime-view tickets have been released for the show and are available to buy directly from the Stadium of Light ticket office, or by calling the ticket hotline at 0191-551-5004.