Springsteen Returns To Christchurch For Quake Anniv.

When major international acts play New Zealand, their first stop is Auckland, the capital city, in Northern Island. If they do go to the South Island, it’s inevitably to Dunedin, to Forsyth Barr Stadium. However, when Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) chief executive Terry Davies pitched his venue as part of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s nine dates through Australia and New Zealand, he was told Christchurch was the sole choice for the performer.

The reason is that the Feb. 21 show at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium, the Boss’ first visit to the city, falls on the eve of the anniversary of its devastating 2011 earthquake. Springsteen’s “My City Of Ruins” became the city’s inspirational unofficial anthem during its rebuilding.

Frontier Touring managing director Michael Gudinski said he will lobby Mayor Lianne Dalziel to declare a half-day holiday on the day of the concert. “It’s going to be an emotional show,” Gudinski said.

The Christchurch and Auckland Mt Smart Stadium (Feb. 25) shows are preceded by seven in Australia. They are Springsteen’s sixth visit to the country, the last being in 2014. Frontier Touring has him at Perth Arena (Jan. 25), Adelaide Entertainment Centre (Jan. 30), AAMI Park, Melbourne (Feb. 2), QUDOS Bank Arena (Feb. 7), Hanging Rock, Mt. Macedon (Feb. 11), Brisbane Entertainment Centre (Feb. 14) and Hope Estate, NSW Hunter Valley (Feb. 18). Australian band Hope Estate will reunite after their 2012 split for most shows.