Australasia News: Allianz Stadium Seating; Industry Calls For Development Agency; Mushroom 50th Anniversary

AUSTRALIA

New Allianz Stadium Faces Seating Issues

Sydney’s new A$874 million ($596. 8 million) Allianz Stadium opened with a multi-million-dollar extravaganza with promises of a new era in fan experience.

But after the opening weekend National Rugby League stoush between the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs before 42,000, Venues NSW made refunds to some patrons.

They were forced to hold their seats up with their feet through the game or were thrown forward when they sat down.

“A small number of seats were not affixed correctly,” Venues NSW said.

Music Industry Calls For Development Agency

The Association of Artist Managers, Australian Festival Association, Australian Live Music Business Council, Crew Care, Live Music Office, Live Performance Australia and Sounds Australia were among 18 bodies calling for the creation of a national music development agency.

To be funded by the Australian government, it would oversee strategic investment and policy development for the sector to earn a 5% to 10% share of the $131 billion Goldman Sachs estimates the global industry will be worth by 2030. The figure includes income from live music gigs, concerts, festivals and events.

The government has a centralised strategic investment model for the development of the screen industry through policy and investment with direct investment of A$92 million ($62.8 million) per annum as well as investment in export, tax offsets and skills and training, and provides investment models for other industries as transport, tourism, higher education and agribusiness.

Mushroom Developing Plans For 50th

Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski has appointed an executive to oversee its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2023 but plans have been kept close to his chest.

But at his Sept. 8 keynote at the BIGSOUND conference, he revealed it will not repeat his late father Michael’s 25th celebration of a star-studded, 9-hour concert at Melbourne Cricket Ground, November 14, 1998, which drew 55,000, according to the venue.

“But we have a number of really exciting ideas in the works,” he said, adding a priority involved past staffers – including from Frontier Touring, and those who moved on to international positions – “getting everyone together and celebrating that.”