Pearl Jam Dark Matter tour 2024: How Gold Coast secured sole Queensland show
American rock giants Pearl Jam return to perform in Australia in November for the first time in a decade, with the Gold Coast scoring their only Queensland gig. HOW THE DEAL WAS DONE
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American rock giants Pearl Jam return to perform in Australia in November for the first time in a decade, with the Gold Coast scoring their only Queensland gig.
The Seattle stalwarts will play Carrara’s Heritage Bank Stadium on November 13 in the opening show of their three-date Australia leg on the Dark Matter world tour.
Shows have also been confirmed for Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on November 16 and Giants Stadium in Sydney on November 21.
The Gold Coast gig was the result of two years of negotiations with city tourism bosses.
Avril Harris, Experience Gold Coast’s executive director of events, said strong relationships with promoters had clinched the concert.
“It came after two years of work with promoters across Australia and Heritage Bank Stadium to help position us a an option for international tours and the more we can demonstrate we are a great location for big concerts like Pink next week and Pearl Jam in November, it will reinforce the Gold Coast as a great location for events,” she said.
“Having the sole Queensland concert is a huge coup and that is the preferred option for us with promoters because we do not always get the opportunity and choice but when the Gold Coast is the only show happening in the state, it creates a huge opportunity for our city for visitation and brings people in from across the state and elsewhere.
“What it comes down to is relationships and the work our team and the stadium team have done to build up those connection with promoters, so they know we want their concerts here.
“If we can get a couple of big concerts held here each year, it will really build our reputation as a viable option and the more we sell out stadiums, it only gets strengthened.”
It is understood the east coast stadium shows will be their only gigs in Australia for the world tour.
The band teased in December they would be return to Australia for the first time since their headlining slots at the final Big Day Out festivals in 2014.
“Are you koala-fied for our ticket presales? Not a current member? Hop to it, mate!” they posted on their social media channels. Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said he expected more than 40,000 people to attend the concert.
“Securing the first stop of an Australian tour, and a Queensland-exclusive, for one of the biggest rock bands of all time is a huge coup for the Gold Coast,” he said.
“Australian fans haven’t had the chance to see Pearl Jam for a very long time and we’re expecting a lot of people to travel here from across the state, and indeed the country, for the opportunity to experience the epic live performance these rock legends are known for.”
American indie rock legends Pixies have been booked as special guests on the Australian leg of the tour.
Mark Vaughan, Live Nation’s concerts and touring vice president said the gig was “not just a concert, it’s a history-making event”.
“ Hot on the heels of Harry Styles and P! nk, Live Nation is proud to be bringing back global rock icons Pearl Jam to the Gold Coast,” he said.
“This isn’t just a concert, it’s a history-making event.
“With huge demand for live music in the city, we are committed to growing live entertainment and not just because fans of the Goldy love to come out to play, but because these events are important for boosting the local economy, driving tourism, and supporting hundreds of businesses and jobs.”
Fans will have two options to buy tickets, neither of which involve the typical ticketing agency sales.
The only pre-sale will be via the band’s long-running Ten Club. The members-only presale will be held through Ticketmaster Request for eligible members. Only paid Ten Club members active as of February 12 are eligible to participate in this presale with more information via pearljam.com.
For another shot at scoring tickets, fans can register for an opportunity to participate in the Dark Matter World Tour 2024 sale at shops.ticketmasterpartners.com/pearl-jam by 11.59pm on February 18.
This will be the only way for fans to buy general sale tickets. Registration does not guarantee access to the sale.
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