Tag: Brisbane concerts

Have you ever wondered what may have led Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and Oasis to pass on performing in Brisbane, leaving Brisbane fans with no option but to travel out-of-state for their shows?

Case in point: Suncorp Stadium in Milton is Queensland’s only large-scale concert venue; and industry insiders say its limited capacity and outdated event policies are causing major artists or organisers of massive crowd-drawing events to bypass Brisbane.

Read: Suncorp Stadium and Ticketek Renew Partnership, Ensuring Premier Ticketing for Queensland Events

International acts have increasingly excluded Brisbane from their tour schedules, citing factors such as rising touring costs and the logistical challenges of performing at a venue that insiders describe as inadequate for modern, large-scale productions. 

When Taylor Swift performed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the local economy experienced a definite boost. Restaurants experienced a 99% increase in customer patronage. Clothing store sales rose by 67%. Pubs and bars posted a 146% increase in business and accommodation bookings swelled by 238%.

Music promoter Tony Cochrane, who has worked with acts like The Rolling Stones, says Queensland’s approach to securing international talent is “outdated” and fragmented.

According to him, attracting major acts requires a cohesive strategy that includes Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), Stadiums Queensland, and various agencies. Without this, he warns, Brisbane will continue to be overlooked in favour of Sydney and Melbourne.

Call for New Infrastructure and Support

Key Brisbane personalities and and many industry figures have voiced the need for updated facilities and more centralised planning. 

John Collins, former bassist of Powderfinger and the newly appointed Night-Life Economy Commissioner, says the city lacks a “world-class stadium” that could attract big acts. He believes such a venue is essential for Brisbane’s cultural and economic growth. He suggests that a new stadium, connected to Brisbane’s key precincts, would make the city more appealing to promoters and artists alike.

Mr Collins and other industry voices have also pointed out the challenges posed by the city’s limited venue options. Besides Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane’s only other large concert space is the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall, which is over 30 years old and unable to accommodate the needs of some modern productions.

Queensland’s Strategy Lags Behind Other States

Meanwhile, other Australian states have invested heavily in attracting big names. Western Australia recently spent $8 million to secure Coldplay for a Perth concert, yielding a reported $43 million in economic benefits. This approach has significantly boosted state tourism and the local economy, and WA has committed to securing exclusive events that bring large visitor numbers.

In contrast, Queensland has been less proactive in offering similar incentives to attract high-profile artists, shows or sporting events. 

The need for planned improvements has never been more apparent that in the wake of missed tour opportunities by acts such as Taylor Swift and Oasis. As a result, Queensland is now open to considering proposals for improving Brisbane’s concert infrastructure and creating a more unified approach among stakeholders.

Economic and Logistical Realities

Rising costs associated with fuel and international airfares have led promoters to concentrate their Australian tours in cities with the highest population densities, making it cost-effective for artists to perform in one or two locations. Venue managers say Brisbane’s current concert infrastructure limits the appeal for international acts who can otherwise rely on fans travelling to larger venues in Sydney or Melbourne. 

Harvey Lister, chair of venue management group ASM Global, said that Brisbane’s event strategies are failing to keep pace with international standards, leaving local fans in the lurch as artists increasingly pass over Queensland.

Read: Milton Madness: Luke Combs Storms Suncorp for Historic Aussie Tour

Future Prospects and New Developments

Brisbane’s hopes for attracting big acts or high-profile sporting events rest partially on the Brisbane Live Arena, a 17,000-capacity venue planned for the 2032 Olympics.

Supporters of the new venue say it will bring much-needed infrastructure to the city and “turbocharge” Brisbane’s entertainment landscape. For its part, Tourism and Events Queensland said that while the decision to include Brisbane on tour schedules lies with artists and their promoters, it remains committed to working with event organisers to strengthen Brisbane’s place as a concert destination.

Published 1-Dec-2024