Australasia News: Ticketing Report Reveals Challenges; Allianz Noise; Live Music Audit; NZ: Sky Stadium CEO Named

AUSTRALIA

Ticketing Report Warns Of Challenges

Big Ticket Items, the state-of-play report from ticketing platform Tixel and marketing agency Bolster Group, highlighted how changes in consumer behavior created significant challenges to promoters and acts.

Attendances are at a four-year high with 53% of patrons going to more events than ever. But “Consumer spending doesn’t match attendance and not all events are feeling this recovery evenly,” the report noted.

Inflation causing 51% to worry about expenses (up from 27% in 2022), contributing to a significant drop in alcohol and food purchases.

Seth Clancy at Oztix remarked Gen Zers especially “are going there less for the venue experience. They’re just there to see the artist and leave.”

The post-COVID trend of buying tickets later is now a habit. With 86% of the 3,800 event goers surveyed kicking against ticket price increases, even slight rises tolerated “don’t match a 6%-7% increase in inflation, let alone the 30+% increase in production costs some organisers are reporting.”

Mushroom Group’s Matt Gudinski and Untitled Group’s Mike Christidis noted emerging domestic acts were particularly hit as fans prioritized their dollars, making it difficult for them to build to larger venues or tour within an 18-month period even with a new show or album.

More Shows, Less Noise For Allianz

The New South Wales government had to modify a short-term plan to spike the amount of concerts at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium to 20 from four a year to satisfy the international tour boom.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) protested the proposal didn’t take into consideration “intrusive noise” on residents. Aside from more concerts, it also called for soundchecks to go on until 10 p.m. from 7 p.m. Two events will be allowed to run for 10 hours.

The government counter-proposed that five have noise caps of 67 decibels and the 15 get 70 dbs.

NSW Govt. Conducts First Live Music Audit

With New South Wales (NSW) losing half its live music venues in the past decade – and only 137 left, according to Liquor and Gaming – the state government is conducting its first audit.

Artists, music executives and fans are asked for feedback on problems and solutions for venues. The survey forms part of a wider study including economic analysis, venue mapping data and audience research to inform the government’s first strategic policy for contemporary music.

NEW ZEALAND

Warrick Dent New CEO At Sky Stadium

Warrick Dent takes over as chief executive at Wellington’s 34,500-capacity Sky Stadium on Jan. 8. He replaces Shane Harmon who resigned in April.

In his current role of GM of events and experience at WellingtonNZ, Dent oversaw Venues Wellington, which manages the TSB Arena, St James Theatre, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Opera House and Shed 6.

He was also the manager of Major & City Events at Wellington City Council.

Dent previously headed events at Hong Kong Rugby and Rugby Events Asia after working at Goldman Sachs in London, Hong Kong and New York.

Wellington Regional Stadium Trust chair Rachel Taulelei stated, “With an excellent working knowledge of events, venue management and established relationships with many of our hirers, he has an excellent head start to the position.”