Qld major events: Minister plans to attract stars like Taylor Swift, Coldplay

Queensland’s Tourism Minister wants to make the state the events capital of Australia. First he must start attracting big-name talent.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift in action in Paris last year

Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell believes the state’s growing reputation as an events capital would convince global superstars such as Taylor Swift to make Brisbane a must for future blockbuster concerts.

New data released on Thursday estimates the value of major events in 2025 to the Queensland economy to be over $1bn, with Mr Powell revealing a goal to make Queensland the events capital of Australia.

While blockbuster sporting events such as the NRL Magic Round, State of Origin, Brisbane International tennis tournament and British and Irish Lions rugby tour will generate millions of dollars for the economy, many major music acts including Swift, Oasis and Coldplay have left Brisbane off their itineraries in favour of brighter lights and bigger stadiums in southern states.

Tourism Minister Andrew Powell

Asked how Queensland could consider itself an events capital if stars like Swift continued to bypass Brisbane on national tours, Mr Powell backed the Sunshine State to again become an enticing destination for A-list stars.

“It’s a pretty complex space bidding for events, and there’s a lot involved,” he said.

“We will certainly do everything we possibly can, but sometimes at the end of the day artists make decisions where they and their producers determine where is best to go.

“We will do what we can to make Queensland and Brisbane front and centre (and) I think

we will create such a vibe around Queensland over the course of the next couple of years that artists such as that will want to come to Queensland.”

Originally published as Qld major events: Minister plans to attract stars like Taylor Swift, Coldplay