Maddening thing Gold Coast concert-goers always do

If we want more big-name concerts on the Gold Coast there is a maddening trend we had better give up, writes Ann Wason Moore.

In the immortal words of Lara Bingle: Where the bloody hell are ya?

The Gold Coast has long been criticised as a cultural desert, but now that we’re finally being flooded with exclusive events, we seem to be taking our oasis of entertainment options for granted.

Perhaps locals are simply taking our laid-back beachside attitude too far, but residents have developed a bad habit of leaving ticket purchases until the last minute, leaving organisers in a panic.

While this flurry of late sales means we eventually still fill seats, the more we can do to fill promoters with confidence, the better.

Because Queensland is about to be booked and busy.

This year began with the state’s blockbuster 2025 events calendar poised to deliver a record $1bn bonanza, and it’s only set to grow.

According to the Queensland Government’s Destination 2045, a 20-year plan for tourism growth, a dedicated fund will be created to help make this state the event capital of Australia.

Given the Gold Coast is the events capital of Queensland, you’d be forgiven for thinking we’re already on a winner.

Pearl Jam performing at People First Stadium in Carrara on the opening night of its Dark Matter Australian tour in November 2024. Picture: Simone Gorman Clark

Unfortunately, the truth is that we have big brother Brisbane breathing down on our necks, threatening to invade our turf.

And, as usual, it’s never a level playing field when it comes to this regional city competing against our neighbouring capital.

While we might be the destination that artists prefer to visit – from the Rolling Stones to U2, entertainers seem to book their accommodation on the Coast regardless of the venue – we simply can’t offer stadiums the size of Suncorp, nor a bankroll like Brisbane’s when it comes to incentives.

But the good news is that this city is used to punching above our weight.

From hosting the only Queensland concert for Pearl Jam last November to what should have been the only Queensland show for Greenday in March, until annoying Alfred got in the way, we’re making our name as an exclusive city.

Just last month we were the only Australian site for the Out 2 Lunch festival and later this year we’re hosting Kendrick Lamar’s only Queensland show, as part of Spilt Milk, but wait … there’s more.

HOTA has just announced a landmark three-year partnership with Queensland Ballet, launching with the debut of Elastic Hearts, choreographed and directed by Garry Stewart and featuring the music of Australia’s own global pop icon Sia, reimagined with cinematic power by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Then there’s the theatrical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings – a Musical Tale, performed only in Melbourne and the Gold Coast, featuring some of the country’s finest musical theatre performers and described in the UK as “the greatest show on Middle Earth”.

In September, we’ll be hosting Lin Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical In The Heights, while Bleach* begins next month with a world exclusive visit from living legend and visual artist Jeff Koons.

And don’t forget our annual exclusives, like Cooly Rocks On, Magic Millions, the Gold Coast Marathon and free events like Blues on Broadbeach.

The recent Cooly Rocks On festival injected more than $20 million into the local economy after a blockbuster weekend. Photo: Supplied

But Brisbane keeps snatching our spotlight, whether hosting Metallica in November or Lady Gaga in December, and the Olympics keeping the capital constantly in headlines.

All of this means there is much work still to do to maintain our events crown, especially after the blow of losing the Pacific Air Show thanks to Cyclone Alfred – the storm that packed a double punch thanks to the lasting damage to our world-class beaches.

While plans continue for the Gold Coast Arena in Southport, a venue that would surely steal focus from the ageing and all but inaccessible Brisbane Entertainment Centre, it’s people power that will push our city over the line.

Rather than waiting until the night before to buy tickets, get in early and give our city a boost. Strong opening sales give promoters the confidence to invest in our city, not to mention it’s the best way to secure the best tickets.

Our laid-back lifestyle might be the envy of many, but when it comes to events, let’s put in some big city energy.

Originally published as Maddening thing Gold Coast concert-goers always do