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Music industry backs Macquarie Point stadium

January 9, 2023 7:27 pm in by

Tas Elton 090123 AP PhotoSusan Walsh

Image: AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Influential music industry figures are throwing their support behind Hobart’s proposed AFL stadium, with one promotor saying if anything it needs to be bigger than its forecast 23,000 seat capacity.

Launceston-born Michael Chugg says the big names will continue to bypass Tasmania without a 30,000 seat venue.

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He’s told the ABC people will travel anywhere in the country to watch top-tier talent like Elton John, whose Yellow Brick Road tour began in New South Wales last night.

Vandemonian Managing Director Brendan Self says Tasmania is one of the only states often overlooked for international tours.

“We really do not have a premium, purpose-built venue adequate to host the likes of Billie Eilish, KISS, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Post Malone or Tame Impala,” he said.  “Botanical Gardens is a great outdoor venue but as we learnt with Vance Joy, it is susceptible to inclement weather. MyState Bank Arena is a great venue for basketball but is not designed for music events.  If we want the big names of the music industry, we need a venue like the stadium being proposed at Mac Point.”

Mr Self said Vandemonium works alongside large-scale mainland promotors, who see many Tasmanians heading interstate to attend shows.

“This means a lot of money going out of the state and being spent elsewhere,” he revealed. “Not just on the ticket – they spend on accommodation, food, travel etc. The touring party for the artists alone can inject tens of thousands in just a couple of days. This does not include the hundreds of thousands that they spend on production, lighting, advertising and hospitality.”

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