Why Aussies are desperate to tour with Robbie Williams

World tour line-ups featuring only overseas acts are shutting out Aussie performers, prompting desperate local acts to push for change. See why.

Harry Styles hasn’t got one, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Post Malone might get one, Ed Sheeran has one and Robbie Williams has at least 50 to choose from at last count.

That’s an Australian support act.

The deluge of international tour announces for 2023 and 2024 has teased local artists with an invaluable opportunity to perform in front of big audiences. Like Sheeran bringing Budjerah around the country, some star acts have booked an Aussie opener. But many haven’t.

World tour line-ups featuring only overseas acts, curated by the giant global promoters, have shut out local artists whose career momentum was stalled by the global pandemic shutdown of live music.

“Currently there is sadly no legislative requirement that requires a local support act. There is only a broad based net employment benefit that needs to be satisfied,” Musicians Union of Australia federal treasurer Jim Glaister said about international touring visa requirements.

Australian pop artist MAY-A performing before 5SOS at Sydney Opera House. Picture: Ruby Boland /Supplied

Alternative indie pop artist MAY-A recently opened for Australian headliners 5 Seconds of Summer and Flume.

She said her follower, streams and message counts all jumped as she travelled around the country opening for 5SOS, thanks to winning over their devoted fan army with her punkish, personality-plus performance.

“I get it, I’m a fan too and you’re there to see your favourite band. I think a lot of people at the start were very much like, ‘F … you guys!’ And then by the third song, they were like, ‘All right, okay, we can dance now,’” MAY-A says.

The Apricots singer and songwriter said it was tough to land a coveted support slot on international tours.

MAY-A says her followers, streams and message counts all jumped as she travelled around the country opening for 5SOS. Picture: Ruby Boland / Supplied

She was disappointed when American musician Steve Lacy, one of 2022’s break-out chart stars, didn’t book a local opener for his sold-out shows, like her friend Stevan who she believed would have been a perfect match for the gig.

“It just feels like respect, it feels like it should be a given that you should do that,” she said.

“It’s really, really, really difficult to get those gigs, to the point where you almost have to try to get supports in other countries, but that’s almost physically impossible to do as an emerging artist because you need so much money.”

Robbie Williams will tour Australia in 2023. Picture: Michael Klein

Legendary promoter Michael Chugg said at least 50 local artists have reached out to him to land the opening gig on the Robbie Williams tour in November next year.

Chugg explained the international act and their team will often choose an Australian opener from a shortlist of suggestions forwarded by the local promoter.

Some artists pick a mate or act they want to champion to bring with them, like Harry Styles who booked British indie rockers Wet Leg for his stadium shows here in February.

Chugg said while there is fierce competition for spots on international tours here, many visiting performers discover Australian talent during their stay, and later book them for American and European shows or lobby to get them onto festival bills.

Genesis Owusu will open shows in US arenas for Paramore in 2023. Picture: Justin Lloyd

ARIA Award winning rapper and musician Genesis Owusu, who will also be one of the star attractions at the upcoming Falls Festival, has been tapped to open at shows in US arenas for huge American rockers Paramore next year.

“Being a support act is important, especially for young up and coming artists but it’s debatable about whether having an Australia act on your bill sells tickets,” he said.

“They’ve got to go out and do the work to build their own followings. If an act sells out two Corner Hotel shows in Melbourne, like the Teenage Dads, then they’re worth money to an international tour.

“They went out with (Australian act) Spacey Jane who have just huge in this country and that blew (Teenage Dads) up big time.

“And it’s good to build a good strong line-up people are going to enjoy when you do a three act bill and I’ve used that (opportunity) to break young bands over the years.”

The added bonus of getting on those big gigs was the APRA performance royalty payments can be “very substantial”, often exceeding the fee by 10 to 1 for big stadium shows, and help the act fund their next overseas tour.

Brisbane pop artist Hatchie will support Florence and the Machine. Picture: Lissyelle Laricchia

“Sheppard did the Justin Bieber shows (in 2017) around the country and New Zealand and their share of the APRA money covered the flights and all that sort of stuff,” Chugg said.

In her submission to the Albanese government’s National Cultural Policy, Sounds Australia executive producer Millie Millgate called for a Music Australia Fund with several grants to assist homegrown acts secure tours with big name international or Australian headliners.

Millgate would like to see grants to “support the support act” and also help fund emerging and established artists to go overseas to build their audiences on the live circuit.

“Right now, an artist cannot build a career in Australia alone,” respected industry advocate Millgate said.

“And these support gigs are crucial to step up to the next level, to build bigger markets for the export of Australian music. They have to keep going back and stepping up their shows.”

For Mick Newton, the promoter of the A Day On The Green successful winery concert tours, adding an Australian act to their bills has always been a no-brainer.

While Florence and the Machine has American pop artist King Princess opening at her arena shows, she is also joined by local acts Last Dinosaurs and Hatchie for her winery concerts. Newton’s Tentpole festival at Mt Duneed winery in March features American 90s altrock heroes Pavement with more than four locals including Spiderbait, Magic Dirt and Floodlights.

A long-time agent and promoter, Newton put Missy Higgins and Tash Sultana on international artist bills when they were starting out.

“We like to give people value for money, and build relationships with artists from early in their career,” Newton said.