Demand Soars For Bruno Mars, Cat Stevens Down Under

The Australian and New Zealand leg of Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic World Tour 2018 has proven a huge success for Live Nation. 

Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP – Bruno Mars
“KIIS FM Jingle Ball,” Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

Tickets opened May 5 for nine original dates in six cities. By May 8, these ballooned to 18 with more than 200,000 tickets shifted, LN Australasia reported. Mars, whose 2014 visit was a sellout, will now play four shows at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on March 7- 8 and 10-11.

The Brisbane Entertainment Centre hosts two, March 14-15. Sydney has five dates at the Qudos Bank Arena March 17-24.

The Adelaide Entertainment Centre is down for March 26. Perth Arena hosts the superstar March 28-29. The Australian dates will be preceded with four shows (the first two sold out in 10 minutes) at Auckland’s Spark Arena Feb. 27-28, and March 2-3.

Mars becomes the second act to sell out four shows at Spark Arena (formerly Vector Arena), equaling a record set by Beyoncé in 2013.

Joining him on all Down Under dates are UK singer Dua Lipa, who made her Australian debut July 2016 with Melbourne and Sydney club shows behind her hit “Be The One.”

Response to Perth Arena’ A Cat’s Attic “Peace Train Tour” was also strong, TEG Dainty, Live Nation and Moonshadow Aus Pty. announced May 8.

Three extra shows were added, bringing the tally to nine. Marking the 50th anniversary of his first hit “Matthew & Son,” the Nov. 22 to Dec. 10 shows take in a mix of arenas, theatres, open-air and a winery. His last visit, in 2010, was his first in 36 years.