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Keith Urban wows the crowd at the opening night of Sydney Coliseum

Western Sydney’s proud new performing arts venue was rocked into life last night by headline star Keith Urban, whose sang “nothing in the world feels like coming home” on the grand opening night of the Sydney Coliseum.

Keith Urban performs with Amy Shark

Western Sydney’s proud new performing arts venue was rocked into life last night by headline star Keith Urban, whose sang “nothing in the world feels like coming home” on the grand opening night of the Sydney Coliseum.

A sea of mobile phones recorded the homecoming hero and his band in the 2000-seat auditorium at West HQ that will transform Western Sydney’s entertainment landscape, hosting everything from leading dance companies to orchestral music.

Urban’s support acts were American-born Australian rock performer John Butler and ARIA award-winning indie pop singer Amy Shark. Butler was lavish in his praise for the Coliseum.

“I play a lot of theatres around the world and this is one of the nicer ones, for sure,” Butler told the Sunday Telegraph.

Keith Urban performs on opening night at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ. Picture: Damian Shaw
Keith Urban performs on opening night at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ. Picture: Damian Shaw

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was at Saturday night’s grand opening with his wife Lucy Turnbull. A beaming Mr Turnbull said the Coliseum was a “magnificent effort” and a great realisation of the best kind of vision for Western Sydney.

Lucy Turnbull said the Coliseum would be “the most extraordinary cultural, recreational and social asset”.

“It’s a big moment for Western Sydney. It’s really hard to over-estimate what a big statement this is,” Mrs Turnbull said.

Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy on the red carpet. Picture: Damian Shaw
Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy on the red carpet. Picture: Damian Shaw
Anna Chuang and Miranda Crow. Picture: Damian Shaw
Anna Chuang and Miranda Crow. Picture: Damian Shaw

Anna Chuang and Miranda Crow of Newcastle attended last night’s event on behalf of their former workmate Rodney Tinworth who died suddenly six weeks ago aged 47, leaving a wife and two daughters.

Crow said Tinworth had been “Keith Urban’s number one fan”, and Urban’s song Somebody Like You had been played at the former police officer’s funeral.

Crow said Tinworth’s widow couldn’t bring herself to attend the concert, but had been messaging her to see how it was going.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/arts/keith-urban-wows-the-crowd-at-the-opening-night-of-sydney-coliseum/news-story/ac3b104737a2fb0f89eb8fb0faf69a4f