The Oasis Leisure Centre has played host to an array of musical talent in recent years, from top rockers Kings of Leon to the poptastic Alexandra Burke.

But it seems Swindonians are favouring the rockers over the mainstream popstars, with tickets for some of the biggest names in music still not sold out several months after going on sale.

Within the next three months, 2010 X Factor winner Matt Cardle, boyband McFly and X Factor contestant Cher Lloyd will take to the stage at the centre, which was recently forced to cancel an Example gig due to a leaky roof.

But tickets for all three concerts are still on sale, while indie/pop singer Ed Sheeran’s concert in October sold out in less than 24 hours.

Programme and events manager at the Oasis, Michelle Jones, said she is not concerned by the ticket sales and believes all concerts will eventually be sell outs.

“We have still got tickets for Matt Cardle and McFly, but they are both selling well, we have just a couple of hundred left on both shows,” she said.

“With shows that are seated, we can take 1,620, and standing shows can hold 3,000. Last time we had McFly it was a seated show and this time it is standing, so we have more tickets to sell. Both shows are doing well and we have no concerns. I am pretty sure we will be close to sold out, if not sold out, on the day.

“Despite the recession, all the shows are going down very well. Obviously, Ed Sheeran was slightly different – that sold out very quickly. With the rest, we tend to always get very close to, or at full capacity.”

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, whose decision it was to allow music concerts to take place at the leisure centre, said it was important for residents to support all music venues, from pubs who promote up and coming talent, to the MECA in Regent Circus, and the Oasis.

He said: “I am exceptionally proud of the very long list of top acts that have come and performed at the Oasis. The fact that the vast majority have been sell-outs shows there is a real appetite for all music in Swindon – the Radio 1 Big Weekend showed just how much of an appetite there was.

“The Oasis is a good accessible site – there are 300,000 people living within 20 minutes of the town centre.

“As the Oasis is renovated I am excited by the prospect of actually upgrading the concert facilities, which would see the venue extended to cater for 5,000, with the potential to attract bigger bands.

“But at the same time, we have been successful in attracting big names like Kings of Leon and the comedian Lee Evans, who chose Swindon because it is an ideal size for them to do a warm-up date.

“I would particularly like to see The Prodigy come to the Oasis – they were the first concert I went to when I was 17, so they would be top of my list.

“What is really important is that the people of Swindon continue to support the music that is put in, not just at the Oasis, but the MECA, and obviously the small pubs who champion brand new talent.”

For more information on forthcoming concerts, call the leisure centre on 01793 445401.