Australasia News: HallyuPopFest Comes To Sydney; WOMADelaide Boosts Economy; Over 25% Of Nightclubs Closed

AUSTRALIA

K-pop’s HallyuPopFest Making Sydney Debut

Sydney-based TEG Live and Singapore’s H.A.H. Entertainment bring K-pop’s HallyuPopFest to Sydney for the first time August 13-14.

It takes a place after its July 9-10 London debut (with 14 acts) at the 12,500-capacity OVO Arena Wembley, through TEG MJR and H.A.H.

HallyuPopFest is marketed as SE Asia’s largest event of its kind drawing 44,000 to the 55,000-seat Singapore Indoor Stadium 2018 and 2019.

Its all-day format includes concerts, red carpet, meet-and-greets and HallyuTown with Korean food, culture and even K-pop hairstylists.

The Australian shows include the involvement of the New South Wales government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

Stuart Ayres, minister for tourism and minister for Western Sydney, said Western Sydney’s reputation as a multicultural hub was making it an international visitor destination.

“Nowhere in Australia is the K-pop revolution more evident than Western Sydney,” he said.

WOMADelaide Creates $17.4M Boost

An economic and financial analysis by ERC Pty Ltd reported in June that the March 11-14 WOMADelaide – Adelaide’s version of WOMAD – successfully returned as the first of Australia’s large scale multi-stage outdoor festivals.

Despite a 28% reduced audience capacity, its total expenditure was A$33.6 million (US$23.2 million) with a $2.5 million ($1.72 million) spend on artists, and created a $17.4 million ($12 million) economic boost for South Australia.

This was not far off the $19.2 million ($13.2 million) raised in 2020 after a record 97,000 attendance.

Last year, during the full blast of the pandemic, the event reduced to four sunset concerts which drew 18,690 and brought $6.9 million ($4.7 million) to the state.

Festival director Ian Scobie said that despite ever-changing COVID restrictions and limited availability to international acts, “WOMADelaide 2022 was embraced by a massive audience.”

For one in five attendees, it was the first visit to the festival.

Over 25% Of Nightclubs Closed

Over a quarter of nightclubs closed in recent years, according to a report on the government-run ABC. It cited data compiled by IBISWorld that the number dropped from 482 to 355.

COVID restrictions, harshest for smallest spaces with closest social interaction, cut deep into profit margins, costs and staffing levels.

But venue operators in the piece said the nightclub experience was becoming less of an appeal for young Aussies who lead healthier lifestyles, have turned to the rising small bar scene, meet partners through dating apps, and more focused on buying their first homes earlier.

NEW ZEALAND

Black Seeds Postpone; Katchafire Head To Europe

High profile New Zealand reggae band The Black Seeds postponed the first three of seven NZ shows when some of the eight-piece tested positive for COVID-19.

The June 23-July 9 dates, their first in four years, was behind their new Love & Fire album.
In the meantime, fellow reggae band Katchafire were on target for their first northern hemisphere visit since 2017.

The 12 shows, June 29-July 16, covered the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France.