Pearl Jam: Incredible impact of Carrara rock concert on Gold Coast economy

A triple-header of major music events will inject a huge amount of money into the Gold Coast’s economy this week as city leaders look ahead to an even bigger 2025. FIND OUT MORE

A triple-header of major music events will inject more than $10m into the Gold Coast’s economy this week as city leaders look ahead to an even bigger 2025.

The week begins on Monday night with the near-sold out Kid Laroi gig at the Home of The Arts (HOTA) followed by Pearl Jam and the Pixies on Wednesday and closing with Xavier Rudd, also at HOTA, on Saturday.

Experience Gold Coast events executive director Avril Harris said the weekday events were paying dividends for the city.

Avril Harris from Experience Gold Coast at the HOTA amphitheatre talking live music. Picture: Andrew Potts

“We have more than 45,000 fans heading to People First Stadium (for Pearl Jam) on Wednesday night and the vast majority of ticketholders are from out of the region, which translates to an incredible accommodation booking for the night,” she said.

“Hotel data (accommodation bookings) are sitting at around 90 per cent at the moment, which is just incredible for the city, and we predict this will translate to an $8-10m economic value.”

Ms Harris said securing state-exclusive concerts delivered a much greater hit.

Pearl Jam, The Kid Laroi and Xavier Rudd are all playing the Gold Coast this week.

“Our priority is trying to get the Queensland exclusive — it just means that Brisbane citizens have to come to the Gold Coast for those amazing international artists,” she said.

“We see people choosing the Gold Coast as their option because it is a great holiday location.

“They come for Pearl Jam and make it a holiday.”

Mayor Tom Tate said the 2025 calendar was already shaping up to be strong, kicking off in March with Green Day playing at Robina’s Cbus Super Stadium, and vowed more big acts were on the way.

“There are quite a few (events) lined up. We are growing them even more and have not curtailed any funding for live music whatsoever,” he said.

“For planning purposes, some of these negotiations happen 12 months in advance.

“The economic benefit is phenomenal for restaurants and accommodations, so everyone benefits.”