Tasmania missing out on big music acts because of no venue
Australia’s top music promoter has backed calls for a new multi-purpose stadium because he says Tasmanians are missing out on seeing world-class performers and acts because of a suitable venue. SEE WHO HAS SKIPPED TASSIE>>>
Tasmania
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AUSTRALIA’S top music promoter has backed calls for a new multi-purpose stadium because he says Tasmanians are missing out on seeing top performers and acts because of a suitable venue.
Launceston-born Michael Chugg, said Elton John, who kicked off his Australian tour at Newcastle on Sunday night, wanted to come to Tasmania but “it didn’t make sense”.
But while backing the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point, he said it would be “far too small” and should have 30,000 seats.
“We’ve ended up in Newcastle where their football stadium, which is used for rugby league and soccer, holds 35,000 people and to build a stadium in Tasmania which only holds 23,000 is ridiculous.
“If you’re going to build a stadium, it’s going to be around for at least 50 years. Tasmania’s population is going to grow and the roads will get better.
“It’s not that big a deal to drive from Hobart to Launceston or even from the North-West coast or vice versa.”
Tourism Industry Council CEO Luke Martin said he had looked at the 15 biggest performers coming to Australia this year and “not one is coming to Tasmania”.
Mr Chugg said 30,000 seats, with another 2000 on the ground would be ideal and Elton John and other top acts, including the Foo Fighters, would include Tasmania on tours,
“I think building a 23,000 seater stadium just seems a bit silly to me,” he said.
“We weren’t going to come to York Park or Bellerive and play to 13,000 people when we’re doing like 20,000 a night plus in Newcastle and 35,000 a night in Sydney.
“If you’re going to have a stadium build it so it’s still not small in 30 years.”
Mr Chugg agreed with Mr Martin that Tasmania was being starved of top acts and being left off the map.
“Being a Tasmanian, I always try to bring shows down there but it’s very hard,’ he said
“I would love to see a Tasmanian AFL team, I think it’s long overdue and the AFL is right, we need a bigger stadium.
“You can’t just keep playing on suburban football grounds which is basically what is happening. I love to go to York Park. I grew up there, but it’s too small.”
Mr Martin said while Tasmania had amazing home-grown events, “the fact is when it comes to the major events touring the country, we are just being left off the map”.
“I’m not suggesting once we build the stadium, we’re immediately going to be included in every future Coldplay or Ed Sheeran tour that comes to Australia.
“But with an all-weather, modern venue, we will inevitably attract our share of major touring acts that currently do not even give us a second look.”
Mr Martin said Tasmania was missing out on major artists and the economic returns they generated as well as job opportunities for the events sector.
“From a tourism perspective, these types of acts do attract visitors from other parts of the country, who follow the acts throughout their tour.”
Meanwhile, actor and local theatre producer John Xintavelonis wants a performing arts centre catering for an audience of up to 1800 to be built at Kangaroo Bay at Rosny.
He says Tasmanians are missing out on big productions such as Frozen, Hamilton and Moulin Rouge because the Theatre Royal has capacity for only 700 and limited parking.
“Kangaroo Bay sits there like an eyesore when we could have a proper performing arts centre.”
The big acts Tasmania is missing out on
Killers Nov-Dec ’22
Harry Styles Feb-Mar ’23
Ed Sheeran Jan-Mar ’23
Florence & the Machine Mar ’23
My Chemical Romance Mar ’23
Sting Feb ’23
Billie Eilish Sept ’22
Tame Impala Oct ’22
Lorde Mar ’23
David Gray Nov ’22
The Backstreet Boys Feb-Mar ’23
Red Hot Chili Peppers Feb ’23
Rod Stewart Mar ’23
Fatboy Slim Apr-May ’23
Elton John Jan ’23
Victoria, NSW, Qld: 100 per cent of acts; WA: 87%; SA 47%; Tas: 0%
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