Tourism and Events Queensland to cut funding stream for more music acts

Taylor Swift and other big acts may continue to snub Brisbane as fears grow over the state’s ability to attract big concerts.

The likes of Pearl Jam, Taylor Swift and Coldplay may not return to Queensland.

A vital funding stream for Queensland’s major event war chest is being slashed as the State battles to ensure some of the hottest music acts on the planet don’t continue to bypass Brisbane.

Queensland tourism leaders have backed calls for the state to ramp up funding efforts to entice global superstars back to Brisbane, but the push will be effectively hamstrung – for the time being at least - with Tourism and Events Queensland’s ‘grants and subsidies’ budget from State government coffers set to be cut by almost $6 million in the year ahead.

Australian tours from superstar acts including Taylor Swift, Oasis and Coldplay have left Queensland off the calendar, with fears the state will be stuck in “last place” unless more is done to entice big-name performers to head our way.

The Kid Laroi played at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on November 14. Picture: Grace Kessels.

According to State budget documents, the department budget will drop from $58.2m to $52.5m, although that would still be a mild increase on the previous year, with the 2024 figure in part blown out due to the payment of almost $8m in disaster recovery payments to regions ravaged by wild weather last summer.

The budget was set under the previous administration, but it is understood the new State government is keen to ensure Brisbane is no longer blown off by big name entertainers.

Events supremo Tony Cochrane last week called for a shake-up of Queensland’s concerts strategy and by new Night Life Economy Commissioner while former Powderfinger bassist John ‘JC’ Collins said a “world-class” stadium in Brisbane would boost the city’s chances of luring big-name acts.

Now, incoming Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell and newly-appointed Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Tash Wheeler have added their voices to calls to ramp up efforts to ensure the state isn’t left behind while states such as WA open the cheque book to secure talent.

Mr Powell said it was an “incredibly competitive space” and Queensland had to rise to the challenge.

Can Brisbane lure Taylor Swift to town? Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images

“Tourism and Events Queensland is always working to attract and secure events for the state that deliver a solid return on investment for taxpayer dollars, working in partnership with Stadiums Queensland and our Regional Tourism Organisation partners,” said Mr Powell.

“This is an incredibly competitive space, with States and Territories trying to outbid each other.

“But we are determined that Queensland gets its fair share of big events, because we know how important these events are to deliver tourists and locals alike with incredible experiences.

“TEQ works closely with a range of promoters and event organisers and aims to build a balanced calendar of events that delivers economic outcomes.”

Newly-appointed Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Tash Wheeler said the state had a proud history of developing and delivering events and more work in the sector would only deliver benefits.

“An increase in funding to support initiatives that attract major acts and events would build on this strong foundation and deliver even greater economic and social benefits,” she said.

“High-profile events not only draw visitors but also elevate Queensland’s global profile, creating long-lasting legacy benefits for the state.”

Legendary rock band Pearl Jam played People First Stadium on the Gold Coast. Picture: Simone Gorman-Clark @simonegormanclark

It is understood senior State government figures including new Premier David Crisafulli are also closely monitoring the situation and cast an eye towards WA, where the government paid a reported $8m to secure a Coldplay appearance in a move which supposedly delivered more than $40m in economic benefit.

A base level of $125m in annual funding was guaranteed until 2027 by the Labor government for TEQ, which aims to “enhance and grow the Queensland events calendar” and boost visitor spending to $44bn by 2032.

Events pumped $680m into the state economy and brought in 267,000 visitors last year.

Mr Crisafulli this week welcomed Mr Cochrane’s critique of the status quo and insisted Queensland can once again become a destination of choice for the music world’s biggest stars.

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

Mr Cochrane, who has promoted tours by the likes of the Rolling Stones, last week told the Sunday Mail that the state’s concert strategy was “way out of date” and there needed to be better co-operation between major stakeholders including Tourism and Events Queensland and Stadiums Queensland.

He also called for incentives and subsidies to attract mega-concerts, saying rival states like WA were paying them and if Queensland didn’t join in, “welcome to last place”.

Collins said a world-class stadium in central Brisbane was the “secret sauce” needed to help attract superstars who are currently snubbing the city in favour of playing the southern capitals.