Australia: New GM For Hordern Pavilion, Oztix, Queensland Stadium

Sydney-based Playbill Venues announced Anthony Dunsford as general manager of Hordern Pavilion. The venue has since 1924 provided a mid-sized 5,500-capacity space for Sydney. Dunsford is currently director of visitor experience for the Botanic Gardens and Centennial Parklands.

In May Playbill begins a A$20 million (US$14.1 million) revitalization with its major partner, the Sydney Swans football club, which includes a new state-of-the-art seating system, greater auditorium configurations, upgraded foyer and venue entry and a dedicated outdoor performance area. Said Playbill group managing director Michael Nebenzahl, “Anthony has a great appreciation for the social and economic value that events bring to our community. We’re going to draw on Anthony’s knowledge and skills as we enhance the Hordern, expand its range of flexible performance options and activate the new outdoor plaza space.”

Oztix is embarking on a period of growth to capitalize on its new status as largest Australian independent ticketing company after Ticketmaster acquired moshtix this year. It’s hired Steve Tassone from the financial sector as general manager; events and venue vet Jim Cunningham as national operations manager; Dave McCarthy as digital campaign specialist; and Amy Gates as business development manager for New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory. “It’s hard to describe the excitement I feel about Oztix and its immense potential,” Tassone said. This year the company added new clients Street Machine Summernats car festival, Complete Events Group and Newcastle music venue The Cambridge Hotel. It also purchased PleezPay, a 6-year old event technology platform providing ticketing and fundraising services to event organisers and charities in the sports and general admission markets. 

Ticketmaster is the official ticketing agent for the North Queensland Stadium.  The 25,000-seat venue in regional Townsville is on target to be completed by the 2020 National Rugby League season at a cost of A$300 million (US$212.5 million). 

Ticketmaster’s Live Nation link is expected to bring major acts to the northern region. Part of the deal sees Ticketmaster open dedicated ticket outlets in Townsville, Mackay and Cairns. Venue manager Glenn Arboitt predicted, “This is going to be a world-class stadium not only for sporting events, but other major entertainment events, concerts and community events.” Ticketmaster Australia managing director Maria O’Connor called the deal “a great outcome” for the agency, adding, “Ticketmaster has a regionally-focused content strategy, and we’re committed to doing our best to attract major events to the venue, while also supporting community development.”

With New Zealand on high alert after the March 15 shooting at two Christchurch mosques, a March 23 festival attended by 20,000 was partly evacuated over security concerns. HomeGrown in Wellington’s waterfront Waitangi Park planned to hold a moment’s silence at each of its five stages for the 50 killed. But four minutes before at the Dub n Roots Stage, staffers noticed a man of concern; media reported he sported a far-right tattoo but the festival denied it. Police evacuated 5,000 of the crowd while the area was searched and the man questioned. Homegrown PR manager Kelly Wright called the incident “an innocent misunderstanding”. The crowd was allowed to return 28 minutes later and headliner Shapeshifter went on to play a shortened set.

The Helpmann Awards, which last year announced it would stage in 2019 in Melbourne for the first time in its 19 years, announced it will be held July 14 and 15 at Arts Centre Melbourne. The 42 trophies handed on the night by Live Performance Australia (LPA) cover musicals, contemporary music, comedy, opera and classical music, theatre, ballet, dance and physical theatre, presentation for children and young people, regional touring and cabaret. LPA chief executive Evelyn Richardson said, “Similar to the Tony Awards in New York and the Olivier Awards in London, the Helpmann Awards highlight the artistry and excellence in Australia’s live performance industry…. that is enjoyed by 23 million people each year in Australia.”

The first five recipients of the inaugural Cultivate – a women-only leadership program for Melbourne’s music industry leaders  — included blues rock singer Dallas Frasca, venue operator Corner Group’s music & marketing manager Sally Mather and Kate Duncan CEO of youth music skills development agency The Push Inc. Organised by peak music association Music Victoria, the five will learn skills from mentors who come from an array of business and philanthropic backgrounds, one of whom is Jackie Antas, GM of communications for Ticketmaster & Live Nation Entertainment, Australia and New Zealand.