Australasia News: Festival News; Ticketmaster’s Super Stadium Deal

AUSTRALIA

New Festivals From TEG Live, One World

TEG Live and Gold Coast entrepreneur Billy Cross are jointly staging a festival for 30,000 on the iconic Coolangatta Beach on the final day of the World Surf League series May 4.

The still-to-be named, seven-hour EDM event, aimed at the 18-35 age group, expects 70% of the crowd to come from outside the region and bring in A$5 million ($3.36 million) with them, and with a A$4.7 million ($3.16 million) value added to the Gold Coast economy.

Andrew McManus of One World Entertainment teased Pandemonium Rocks in April in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

The soundtrack to the Instagram post suggested the bill will include Alice Cooper, Blondie, Deep Purple, Gang Of Four, Dead Kennedys, Psychedelic Furs, Placebo and Wheatus.

Ticketmaster Partners With Cbus Super Stadium

Ticketmaster Australia struck a new partnership with Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.

The rectangular venue accommodates 27,000 for sporting events and 30,000 for concerts and was with Ticketek since its opening 15 years ago.

Stadium general manager Kristian Blundell said, “We’re looking forward to a fresh approach to fan experience, event planning and execution, marketing, and customer purchasing options, such as online accessibility ticketing.”

Cbus Super Stadium is one of nine venues operated by Stadiums Queensland on behalf of the Queensland government.

Arrests, Overdoses
At Festivals

Six people were arrested for fighting and disorderly behavior and a cop was hit with a bottle at the Jan. 5 Wellington, New Zealand, stop of the nine-date Juicy Fest through New Zealand and Australia.

Billed as the biggest hip-hop and R&B festival in the southern hemisphere. Artists included T-Pain, T.I., Ashanti, The Game, YG and Trey Songz.

Police said the 15,000 at Hutt Park were “largely well-behaved” but there were incidents “involving people outside the event, including suspected gang members.”

As the mercury rose, eight attendees overdosed on MDMA at the Hardmission EDM rave at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse Jan. 6.

Seven were put in induced comas and required breathing tubes, the Victorian Ambulance Union confirmed.

NEW ZEALAND

Strong Turnout For NYE Fests

Crowds attended New Year’s Eve festivals in numbers despite heavy storms hitting some.
Rhythm and Alps drew 10,000, up 10%-20 % on last year, GM Harry Gorringe estimated.

Rhythm and Vines celebrated its 20th anniversary with close to 25,000 over three days.

Bay Dreams North reported a successful move to new venue Wharepai Domain in Tauranga with 8,500 coming, while Hidden Lakes in Christchurch’s North Hagley Park had an attendance boost to 5,000.

Forecasts of 100mm to 140mm (3.9 to 5.5 inches) of rain led Love Your Ways to cancel.
Northern Bass outside Auckland spent NZ$50,000 ($31,231) on protection but its 10,000-strong crowd endured mudbaths, bogged vehicles and drinking water issues.

Highlife Festival brought in 800 square meters of flooring and marquees for its 6,000-strong crowd.