How to attract more big music acts to SEQ

Taylor Swift and other big music acts have ditched SEQ in recent years – here’s how to get them back.

Brisbane needs a new strategy to attract big stars like Taylor Swift. Photo: Michael Campanella

Events guru Tony Cochrane says Brisbane needs to shed its “small town mentality” and is willing to meet with Premier David Crisafulli in a bid to help lure more big-name music acts to Brisbane.

Mr Cochrane, a former Supercars series and Gold Coast Suns boss who has just been appointed to the new LNP government’s 100-day Olympic Games review board, is also one of the state’s best promoters, with a track record of bringing some of the music world’s biggest acts to the Glitter Strip.

As calls continue for Queensland to do more to attract the A-list acts such as Taylor Swift and Coldplay which have bypassed Brisbane, Mr Cochrane said he was more than happy to meet Mr Crisafulli to bring fresh perspective to the dilemma.

“I’ve always found the Premier to be an engaging person who listens to people,” he said.

“He is what I call a fair dinkum Queenslander (and) I would be happy to talk to him at any time.”

Tony Cochrane on the Gold Coast. Picture: Richard Gosling

Mr Cochrane has previously called out “a lack of cohesion” in trying to lure big events to Queensland, comments which attracted the attention of Mr Crisafulli.

“Tony’s got a pedigree of putting on big acts and he loves Queensland, so I definitely listen to him,” he said.

“After a decade of poor planning, if we can get our act together that will help attract big acts to Queensland.”

Speaking this week to The Sunday Mail, Mr Cochrane said Brisbane’s events space needed a change in strategy.

“I don’t mean this to be offensive, but in many ways Brisbane still has a small town mentality,” he said.

“You have got to have your eyes and ears out all over the world, whether that is try and secure a one-off concert or an annual event.

“You need a co-ordinated approach and at the moment you’ve got so many players who all want to have part of the action.

“In my opinion the co-ordination of that has been pretty ordinary.”

While Brisbane has missed out on some of the biggest performers to tour Australia in recent years, Mr Cochrane’s home town of the Gold Coast has punched above its weight, securing shows from several headline acts ranging from Harry Styles to Pearl Jam, with rockers Green Day slated for a Robina show next year.

US rock band Pearl Jam performing at People First Stadium, Gold Coast. Picture: Simone Gorman Clark

Data from Experience Gold Coast estimates the value of major concerts to the city to be worth more than $30 million over the past two years.

Experience Gold Coast Executive Director of Events Avril Harris said there was “no secret recipe” to the city’s growing reputation as a major music mecca.

“We just have the combination of our destination, our climate, our venues, our relationships and our targeted strategic approach to securing music content,” she said.

“Experience Gold Coast has been working with music promoters and our city’s stadiums over the past few years to build the Gold Coast’s reputation as an international music events destination, and this targeted approach and investment is well and truly paying off.

“Our recent success of multiple sold-out stadium shows has ensured the Gold Coast is seen as a safe stop on the international touring circuit.

“Combine that with our enviable lifestyle and climate, and we are an enticing destination for global music acts and their fans.”