Broadwater Sounds concert success renews calls for more big gigs on waterfront in Southport

THE push is on to get a purpose-built performance stage built right on the waterfront in a bid to lure big acts to play concerts on the Gold Coast. And there’s one location in mind.

The Hilltop Hoods’ view from the stage at their Broadwater Parklands concert on the weekend. Picture: Instagram.

CALLS for a permanent stage to be built at Broadwater Parklands to help lure more large live acts to the Gold Coast have been renewed following the success of this year’s Gold Coast 600 race weekend concerts.

“If you build it they will come. That’s it. It’s as simple as that,” promoter Billy Cross said yesterday.

The Gold Coast City Council’s Live Music Taskforce has made a raft of recommendations to restore the city’s former reputation as a live music mecca.

Its report, currently before the Economic Development & Major Projects Committee, recommends council assess key public venues including Broadwater Parklands at Southport, Kurrawa Park at Broadbeach, Queen Elizabeth Park at Coolangatta and Doug Jennings Park, at The Spit, with a view to upgrading them to live music concert standard to optimise their appeal to promoters.

Broadwater Parklands has proved a successful home for large live music concerts. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

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The report says the upgrades would minimise set up costs around items such as three-phase power, wi-fi, stage reinforcement and lighting supports.

Council is reviewing the taskforce’s recommendations and will consult with the community and industry on any proposed changes.

Calls for permanent concert infrastructure at Broadwater Parklands were first floated in 2015 after more than 18,500 motorsport fans filled the area to see Cold Chisel as part of the GC600.

Delta Goodrem on stage during her Broadwater Sounds concert at Broadwater Parklands, in Southport, on October 20, 2017. Picture: Supplied.

Area councillor Dawn Crichlow said this year’s Broadwater Sounds race weekend shows by Delta Goodrem and Daryl Braithwaite on Friday and Hilltop Hoods and Violent Soho on Saturday, had again gone off without a hitch, with no sound ­complaints and no police ­incidents.

“They were highly successful with the light rail to move the crowds and no complaints whatsoever from neighbours about the noise,” she said.

“In fact, they said it was great to be able to sit on their balcony and watch the music and watch the artists.”

Crowds at Cold Chisel’s concert at Broadwater Parklands as part of the 2015 Gold Coast 600 race weekend. Picture: Richard Gosling

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Acting Mayor Donna Gates said council was currently focused on delivering Stage 1 of the Cultural Precinct, which includes a versatile outdoor space (VOS or amphitheatre) stage and concert lawn for artistic, cultural and civic celebrations as well as ticketed concerts by touring acts.

Due for completion in December, the outdoor space will undergo tests in the new year before it hosts events as part of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Leading promoters will be invited to the Coast to view the new venue in the new year.

“Given our huge investment in the Cultural Precinct, I think our priority should be with activating it at this time,” Cr Gates said.

The new amphitheatre being built as part of Stage 1 of the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct is due for completion in December and could become a hub for live concerts following the Commonwealth Games. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“We have the best climate in the world for this wonderful outdoor space and our focus should remain on it.”

Mr Cross said the Coast needed a mid-sized venue to fill a void its range of venues.

“At one end, you have Metricon, where you have the big 40,000 seat Bon Jovi and Pearl Jams and Foo Fighters, and at the other, there’s all the amazing Miami Marketta and NightQuarter venues for smaller acts,” he said.

Violent Soho perform for fans at Broadwater Parklands on Saturday night. Picture: Instagram.

“We need something to fill the void for that 5000 to 10,000 crowd act.

“Obviously we need a facility that is set up so promoters can just plonk their acts there — these acts bring in a massive production and they need the facility for that. It needs to be a one-stop shop, close to public transport.”

The GC600 concerts also received the thumbs up from the stars who played them, including Violent Soho and Hilltop Hoods, who posted pictures on Instagram of their audiences, taken from the stage.