Coronavirus Gold Coast: Veteran promoter Michael Gudinski says live entertainment will thrive on back of COVID-19 crisis
A veteran music promoter believes people will be “desperate” for live entertainment after the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether Tom Tate can lure the rock superstars remains to be seen.
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A VETERAN music promoter warns overseas musicians are unlikely to tour Australia this year but has given hope to Mayor Tom Tate’s post-virus Rolling Stones dream.
Promoter Michael Gudinski, of Frontier Touring, said yesterday: “The last thing that will happen is the government will suddenly let international acts come in. Even when they do, it’s going to be at the very end of restrictions being lifted. International acts won’t want to come here and be in quarantine for two weeks.”
The promoter said the industry would need to reassess ticket pricing after the virus decimated the economy, however Australian artists would get a headstart on overseas performers.
“Once this is over people are going to be desperate for all forms of live entertainment. But ticket prices will be absolutely critical.
“Not only have many Australians lost their jobs, it affects so many people around them.”
His comments come after Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s recovery tonic for the city post-coronavirus included early approaches to big acts to tour such as the Rolling Stones.
Cr Tate told the Bulletin he wanted to capitalise on the buzz while the entertainment industry was essentially shut and try to book some of the world’s biggest artists.
“I would start booking these major acts now because nobody else is and have the next big one here, subject to health authorities being okay with it” he said.
“I’m talking the likes of The Rolling Stones … these world-renowned artists should be contacted and we should be one of the first to get on the list and sign them up now.”
City leaders were impressed by February’s Queen Metricon Stadium gig, which was one of the last major events in the country before social distancing measures came into play.
The show was a sellout and reviews were positive.
Originally published as Coronavirus Gold Coast: Veteran promoter Michael Gudinski says live entertainment will thrive on back of COVID-19 crisis