Scrapped KISS show ‘huge blow’ for local economy, fans
The shock move to cancel Townsville’s highly-anticipated KISS show is expected to see the local economy lose out on millions as loyal NQ fans of the rock legends continue to express their despair.
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THE shock move to cancel Townsville’s highly-anticipated KISS show is expected to see the local economy lose out on millions as loyal NQ fans of the rock legends continue to express their despair.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed last February that her government had “inked a deal” to bring KISS to Queensland Country Bank Stadium, but those plans have since fallen through due to a scheduling clash with a potential Cowboys NRL home final on the cards.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart proudly spruiked the government’s deal at the time by saying, “God gave rock ‘n’ roll to you, but the Premier gave KISS to Townsville.”
Liberal MP Phillip Thompson said if the State Government offered any financial incentives for KISS to come to Townsville while sealing the deal, that money should be quarantined and reinvested for another event in the city.
However, a spokesman for Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has firmly denied that concert promoters received any government funding for the event.
Townsville Enterprise’s director of visitor economy Lisa Woolfe said there’s no doubt losing a huge event like the KISS concert would be a blow for the city.
”While there is no denying it is a blow to lose an event like the KISS concert, our hospitality, tourism, and accommodation sectors are still going to benefit from the Cowboys playing a home final,” she said.
“A sell-out crowd at the Stadium generates millions of dollars for the local economy, and a home final will generate significant broadcast coverage for our region in other domestic and international markets.”
Townsville KISS fan Clayton Harvey said he had tickets for September’s farewell show and was gutted to hear it had been canned.
“It was definitely disappointing they couldn’t come to some sort of agreement on the venue,” he said.
“You don’t get many big concerts like that in Townsville, so the city is definitely missing out.
“I’m not sure if I’ll get a refund yet, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to go down south to watch it there either.”
Hundreds of Townsville diehard KISS fans also took to social media to express their despair at the cancellation.
“So disappointing that KISS broke their promise they made in Mackay that they would come back to North Qld with even a better show this was supposed to be it. Now, after two years of having our money no show,” Dana Cheetham said.
“Well better believe I’m so mad. Missed them years ago because I was heavily pregnant, who knows if this opportunity will ever come around again. Guttered,” Sammi Raynor said.
“Surely an international act takes precedence! Especially when pre-booked and agreed to. What happens if Cowboys don’t make the final? Then we look like a joke,” Gina Rahmel said.
“KISS goodbye to any future international artists coming here. This is why we can’t have nice things,” Tracey Broadway said.
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