Gold Coast live music: Entertainment giant backs plans for new boutique stadium
The boss of a leading venue management company has thrown his weight behind the Gold Coast securing a 10,000-seat live music arena.
Entertainment
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A TOP venue management bigwig backing the Gold Coast securing a 10,000-seat live music arena says gigs must be done in co-operation — not competition — with Brisbane
AEG Ogden Chairman Harvey Lister says there will be significant benefits for the city in building a new venue, an idea backed by Mayor Tom Tate and entertainment/events duo Billy and Jackie Cross.
But Mr Ogden said the Coast could not act in competition against Brisbane.
“The Gold Coast has grown up enough and has a sufficient enough visitor load with hotels and accommodation that there is a potential market there,” he said.
“The only way to optimise this market is to have a co-ordinated program with Brisbane.
“It would be nuts for us to be developing programming in competition with Brisbane.”
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In a special report two weeks ago the Bulletin revealed the Gold Coast was “massively” missing out on attracting big name acts due to the city’s lack of a music venue that could cater to big Australian and international acts.
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AEG manages some of the state’s biggest venues, including the 11,000-seat Brisbane Entertainment Centre and the 52,000-seat Suncorp Stadium.
In the past year these venues have hosted such big acts as Fleetwood Mac and Phil Collins.
And Mr Ogden said the Coast could get in on the action.
“It is my view that the Gold Coast is a grown up city which can now sustain a large population and, in turn, a music business.
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“I am not of the view the Gold Coast would be cannibalising Brisbane’s venues if there was to be one here too.
“This is a market which is not being served on the Gold Coast.
On Saturday the Bulletin revealed leading promoters TEG and Live Nation, which are responsible for bringing some of the world’s biggest acts to Australia, were willing to work with local and state governments on a new music venue.
Both agreed there was enough demand for another live music arena but it would have to be indoors and be able to host between 5000 and 10,000 people.
Cr Tate said he was willing to go 50-50 with the State Government to build the stadium.
Mr. Lister said the Gold Coast’s proximity to Brisbane meant production could be moved overnight to enable back to back shows which would help enormously in the scheduling of tours.
“Sometimes an artist’s availability dictates that a shorter tour has to be routed through major capital cities only but it can lead to dates becoming available in secondary markets,” he said.
“If we can fill dates between Brisbane and Sydney shows, it could open up some ideal opportunities for additional events on the Gold Coast.
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