Promoter Andrew McManus lifts lid on his legendary rock and rap marquee in Flemington’s Birdcage
Promoter Andrew McManus has hosted some of the world’s biggest stars at Flemington. So which mega diva brought her own food taster, and which VIP didn’t want to leave?
Confidential
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His marquee at the Flemington Birdcage was legendary, playing host to superstars including Stevie Nicks, Chrissie Amphlett, Snoop Dogg, Chris Isaak, and Tommy Lee.
Indeed, while top concert promoter Andrew McManus was the marquee host with the most, the talent he booked for shows at the Victoria Racing Club chairman’s dinner was another level.
Icons Diana Ross and Luciano Pavarotti played on that stage for invite-only VIPs.
In an interview for Confidential at Seppelt Wines Stakes Day, McManus opened up about hosting Snoop, Nicks, Lee, “Miss Ross” and other celebrities at Flemington.
CONFIDENTIAL AT STAKES DAY: Promoter Andrew McManus on celeb Birdcage antics, Rebecca Harding on life in lockdown with Andy Lee, and Tom and Emma Hawkins on their time in the AFL hub. Watch above or on Facebook from noon.
McManus said before her show at the VRC chairman’s dinner, Ross summoned him backstage.
“I don’t want you sitting in the crowd,” she told him. “I want you standing side of stage in case I need you.”
McManus said there was a big airconditioner duct behind the stage.
“She’s singing away and her hair’s flopping from the aircon pushing (the air) through,” McManus said.
But he noticed Ross rubbing her arms, and thought it was a signal about how her performance was tracking.
“They love ya!” McManus said, giving her a thumbs up.
“Then she’s come over and said, ‘D--khead! It’s freezing up here!’”
Offstage, Ross’ tour manager was in charge of tasting her food before it was delivered to her villa at Crown.
“(Food) had to go to her food taster/tour manager guy first,” McManus said. “He would check it out, then send it to her. That’s all fine, well and good, but by the time it got to her, it was cold.”
After three days of the cold food debacle, McManus noticed a familiar person eating in the Crown food court.
Ross “with a cap on, scarf and big sunglasses … was hoeing into the sweet and sour pork … straight off the bain-marie”.
McManus added: “Miss Ross is a five-star top-echelon performer with the personality to go along with it. She has seen the heady heights, and she’s an amazing talent.”
Rapper Snoop Dogg loved the Birdcage so much, he cancelled his Sydney show and stayed in Melbourne.
“The mileage he got for the Birdcage, and just being there, was extraordinary. People still remember him walking through the Birdcage with his posse. He lit up (a joint) once or twice, but he was fine.
“He just loved it, he was in his element. When we told him we had to go, it was like, ‘No, you’re talking to Snoop, I don’t go anywhere unless I want to go’.”
Meanwhile, McManus will stage Under The Southern Stars, an outdoor COVID-safe rock festival featuring international acts in February and March, including three shows in Victoria.
“We’re about to pull a trigger on a relaunch, and the line up is going to be even stronger,” he said.
“We will be the first international music festival in Australia (since COVID-19 restrictions), and also the world, so all eyes will be on Australia, and us, in the way we manage a green field festival under the ‘new normal’.”
In light of the recent NRL and AFL grand finals being played in front of stadium-size crowds, McManus said: “It’s now time for music … concerts and festivals to have a chance to replicate what rugby league and AFL has done, and show we can set up a safe, a COVID-managed event.”
Hear more Birdcage confessions from Andrew McManus in our Confidential at Stakes Day livestream at noon. Also joining Nui Te Koha and Jackie Epstein in the virtual Birdcage are Seppelt Wines ambassador Rebecca Harding and Cats star Tom Hawkins with wife Emma.
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