Australian Grand Prix in $8.7m legal fight over Robbie Williams cancelled concerts

A date has been set for the high-stakes civil trial over Robbie Williams’ cancelled concert at the 2020 Australian Grand Prix.

An $8.7m legal fight over a cancelled Australian Grand Prix concert by Robbie Williams is set for a court showdown within weeks.

The Victorian Supreme Court has set aside May 27 to June 13 for hearings in the high-stakes civil trial over the 2020 event which was ditched at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, music promoter Richard Beck said on Monday the Melbourne court battle ov­er the cancellation could be avoided if Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) bos­s­es came to the negotiating table.

The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix track on the day the 2020 race was cancelled. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

Mr Beck added that a separate $25m action he is planning through the High Court in London for “frustration of contract” over a deadlocked deal to bring more stars to Melbourne in future years could also be avoided.

“There’s a perfect opportunity to start afresh. We have an existing live-music co-operation agreement with Australian Grand Prix Corporation,” said Mr Beck, the head of promotions company World Touring Melbourne.

“It’s probably in a filing cabinet in his (chief executive Travis Auld’s) office.”

Travis Auld ahead of this year’s race. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images for Australian Grand Prix Corporation

Mr Beck had secured Williams as the headline act for the 2020 race, with the megastar travelling to Melbourne despite fears over the virus outbreak.

But then-premier Daniel Andrews banned fans from attending the race 30 minutes before the gates were about to open, on Friday, March 13.

While the Grand Prix was cancelled, a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl featuring New Order was held with full crowds the following night.

The touring agency is seeking $7.6m for costs it incurred and another $1.1m in lost profits and interest over the cancellation. The Australian Grand Prix Corporation previously rejected a $4.8m settlement, instead offering just $1.

Miley Cyrus pulled out of the Concert For National Bushfire Relief at the Albert Park track during the 2020 race due to the Covid outbreak. Picture: John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

It comes as Mr Auld said earlier this month that he wanted to turn the Melbourne Grand Prix into the biggest F1 race in the world and a rival to the Australian Open’s success.

Mr Beck said he would be able to bring bigger names than the Aussie bands Jet, Empire Of The Sun and Amy Shark.

“You know, when he (Travis) goes and talks about doing all these festivals and having global talent come down, that’s exactly the agreement that we have,” he said.

Mr Auld said he could not comment on the case because it was before the courts.

Miley Cyrus had also been due to appear at the Concert For National Bushfire Relief, which was promoted by TEG Dainty, at the Albert Park track during the 2020 race but pulled out days due an explosion of coronavirus cases in the US.

It can be revealed she created a music video that combined her hit Nothing Breaks Like a Heart with Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning, which had been due to be played on big screens at the circuit.