Australia News: Ticketing Code, Postponements, Marvel Stadium, Guns N’ Roses & More

Ticketing Code Updated To Include Pandemics

– Crew member

Live Performance Australia updated its Ticketing Code of Practice to include pandemics, both current and in the future. The code sets out expectations of how the industry should treat consumers.

LPA chief executive Evelyn Richardson said “As we transition to living and working in a COVID-normal world, we obviously need to anticipate the possibility of more disruptions in the future, although they are more likely in the form of targeted and localized restrictions to contain any coronavirus outbreaks.”

The updated code covers cancelled, rescheduled or relocated events due to “intervening circumstances” and with expectations of conduct, communicating with consumers, options offered, and timeframes for new dates and refunds. LPA consulted with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on these revisions.

COVID Postponements And Cancellations Continue

In the latest of COVID victims, major country music festival CMC Rocks postponed from March 2021 to 2022 as social restrictions and international travel bans meant an event that would “not be up to standard.”

NYE (New Years Eve) On The Hill outside Melbourne also delayed to 2021.

After nine years, Sydney’s Freda’s has shuttered, while Shorty’s in Canberra called time out after eight years.

A two week lockout in Adelaide, caused by a dishonest claim to contact tracers by a Spanish national on a temporary graduate visa that he was a customer and not a worker in a pizza restaurant, caused all music venues to close, Adelaide Festival to postpone its program launch, and LGBTIQ+ Feast to axe closing event Picnic in the Park.

– QMC Rocks

Republic RnB nightclub in Cairns, Queensland, was shut for a month by authorities over alleged multiple COVID breaches.

Dee Dimmick, founder of Brisbane-based production crew supplier All Access Crewing, wrote to members of parliament expressing concern the reboot of the live industry was severely impacted by the lack of available crew, as many had to find work in other in other sectors as there was no money since March.

New Zealand’s Broods may also cancel their NZ tour in December, after singer Georgia Nott failed to get in time a new mandatory voucher to stay in a quarantined hotel before being allowed back in from Los Angeles.

Marvel Stadium For $225m Revamp

– Marvel Stadium

The Australian Football League unveiled plans for a A$225 million ($164.3 million) upgrade of Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.

The 53,359-capacity venue, which opened in 2000, drew high attendances for U2, AC/DC, Taylor Swift, Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Eminem, Bon Jovi, Adele and Ed Sheeran.

The renovation, funded by the Victorian state government, is aimed at turning the building and precinct into a 365-day hub. Construction begins in 2021 on a new town square with a night market, new large screens, additions to food and beverage areas, and more space for patrons to meet before, during and after the event.

Hospitality businesses on two levels will be open to the public and able to be converted to ticketed areas for matches and concerts. Lighting and technology changes allow acts and home clubs to integrate their logos, brand and club colors into the exterior and interior of new areas.

Pre-pandemic, the venue hosted over 75 events annually. AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said, “The Marvel Stadium precinct will be one of the best sports and entertainment destinations in the world, with its proximity to the city and a world class entertainment and food offering pre-and post-event.”

Guns N’ Roses To Shift 325,000 Tix Down Under

– Guns N’ Roses

Eight stadium shows by Guns N’ Roses in Australia and New Zealand in November 2021 are expected to move 325,000 tickets. The TEG Dainty stadium tour is the first international run announced since COVID-19 and border closures in March.

Australia will sell 250,000 over six shows, the promoter said. These are at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast (Nov. 6), Adelaide Oval (Nov. 9), Melbourne Cricket Ground (Nov. 11), ANZ Stadium, Sydney (Nov. 14) and Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (Nov. 16) and Optus Stadium, Perth (Nov. 24).

Two New Zealand shows are at the 34,500-seat Sky Stadium, Wellington (Nov. 19) and the 36,000-seat Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (Nov. 21).

TEG Dainty president & CEO Paul Dainty declared: “Announcing an international tour of this magnitude as we come out of the most challenging year in the history of live entertainment is truly gratifying.”

“We’re all eager to return to business as usual and who better to lead the charge into international stadium touring than the mighty Guns N’ Roses!”

Report: Aussie Live Industry Faces 90% Revenue Drop

A new report by PwC expects Australia’s live music industry to suffer a 90% loss of revenue in 2020. The 2020-2024 Australian Entertainment and Media Outlook stated it “will only recover once the global borders are opened to touring acts.”

However the report forecasts Australia’s total music market would rise from A$1.82 billion ($1.32 billion) in 2019 to A$2.32 billion ($1.69 billion) in 2024, as “partly due to the growth of streaming, Australia’s recorded music market is stable.”

Digitally distributed music including streaming will surge to A$1.4 billion ($1 billion) in 2024, a 10.31% CAGR.

LN Offers Refunds To Crowded House Fans

–
Neil Finn of Crowded House

Live Nation made refunds to premium Crowded House fans in New Zealand after the band intervened. The refunds were for high-demand tickets to their 10-date To The Island Tour in March. The outfit, fronted by Auckland-based Fleetwood Mac member Neil Finn, is renowned for its close relationship with fans.

“Though it may be common practice on other tours, we in Crowded House do not agree with any premium tickets being sold, as Live Nation describe it ‘at market-driven prices where the price is adjusted according to supply and demand,’” they posted on official Facebook and Twitter pages. “The band had no prior knowledge of these in demand tickets and did not approve this.”

On the Live Nation and Ticketek website, tickets ranged from NZ$112.40 ($77.90) to the NZ$242.40 ($168) VIP Hot Seat which offers a reserved seat in the first 15 rows, a designated VIP check-in, an onsite host, a drink voucher, and a commemorative VIP tour laminate pass and T-shirt.

Live Nation explained artists decided how their tickets are priced and sold especially for in-demand tickets, as those are designed to ensure all value came back to the artist, instead of “lining the pockets of scalpers.” The company added, “We’re grateful we were able to resolve this miscommunication and fulfill ticket sales in line with the band’s wishes.”

Biggest Gathering Of NZ Acts For Rhythm And Vines

They’re calling it the largest gathering of New Zealand talent, with 107 artists booked by Rhythm and Vines festival Dec. 29, 30 and 31.

They include Benee, Shihad, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Shapeshifter, L.A.B., Concord Dawn, The Beths and LADI6. The festival, now in its 18th year, will draw 23,000.

Current buzz act Benee headlines the Dec. 31 bill, which has the biggest ticket sales as New Zealand is the first music market to greet the new year.