Ed Sheeran breaks own Melbourne record
Ed Sheeran has broken his own attendance record at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) by playing to more than 100,000 fans on consecutive nights.
The superstar singer-songwriter performed to a 107,000-strong crowd last Thursday (2 March), topping that 24 hours later when he attracted a 109,500-strong crowd to Friday’s Frontier Touring-presented show. Eminem previously pulled in more than 80,000 punters at the venue in 2019.
“Ed loves to break a record and he’s smashed this one,” says Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski, who describes the feat as “phenomenal”.
Earlier in the week, Sheeran paid tribute to his former Australian promoter, Gudinski’s father, Michael Gudinski, after visiting the statue of the late Mushroom Group founder outside Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
The largest concert ever held in Australia was a free admission show by The Seekers in 1967, which had an estimated 200,000 in attendance
“Toasting a 707 to the big man ahead of playing the biggest ticketed shows ever in Australian history this weekend,” wrote Sheeran on Instagram. “We miss you, you finally got me playing MCG in the round.”
According to Noise11, the largest concert ever held in Australia was a free admission show by The Seekers at Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne in 1967, which had an estimated 200,000 in attendance.
Sheeran’s opening night at MCG suffered a technical hitch, however, with some fans initially unable to access their tickets after buying them through Ticketek.
“Ticketek apologises to those fans who experienced a delay in entering the MCG for Ed Sheeran’s concert,” a spokesperson tells the Daily Mail. “A small number of Ticketek App users, who had valid tickets, were unable to retrieve their entry barcode until the issue was resolved.
“We thank fans for their patience whilst Ticketek enabled a solution, which saw all fans admitted prior to the start of the concert.”
Last month, Sheeran also smashed the attendance record at New Zealand’s Sky Stadium, with 48,000 fans flocking to the singer’s sold-out concert, again outselling the previous record-holder Eminem, who attracted 46,474 fans to his March 2019 date.
The Australia/New Zealand leg of the 32-year-old’s +–=÷× Tour (AKA the Mathematics Tour) wraps up this month with nights at Adelaide Oval (7 March) and Perth’s Optus Stadium (12 March).
Last week, Sheeran – who is represented by Marty Diamond of Wasserman Music in North America and Jon Ollier of One Fiinix Live for the rest of the world – announced a slate of European indoor shows in support of his upcoming fifth studio album, − (Subtract), out 5 May. He will visit Manchester’s AO Arena (23 March), The O2 in London (24-25 March), Glasgow’s OVO Hydro (28 March), 3Arena Dublin (30 March) and Accor Arena, Paris (2 April).
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Lorde, Sting postpone NZ gigs after cyclone devastation
Lorde and Sting are the latest artists to cancel or postpone concerts in New Zealand as the country is left reeling after Cyclone Gabrielle.
Gabrielle brought widespread flooding to the North Island in mid-February and claimed the lives of at least 11 people, with thousands still uncontactable.
The country’s finance minister says the cyclone is “going to be the biggest weather event this century, with a billion-dollar price tag”.
Due to devastation in the region, Auckland-born star Lorde has postponed her scheduled show at Black Barn Vineyards in Hawke’s Bay on 1 March.
“In line with advice from the venue, the police, and our promoter, I think the right thing to do is to postpone our Hawke’s Bay shows,” wrote Lorde, whose real name is Ella Yelich O’Connor, on Instagram. “This is a postponement NOT a cancellation at this stage – I’m working on something and you’ll hear from me soon.”
Lorde’s Black Barn show was scheduled as part of the New Zealand leg of her Solar Power Tour.
Gabrielle brought widespread flooding to the North Island in mid-February and claimed the lives of at least 11 people
The singer had previously announced a change in venues in Wellington, as her first shows on 21 and 22 February, originally scheduled to take place at Days Bay in the Hutt Valley, were shifted indoors to TSB Arena on Wellington’s waterfront.
Lorde will play at the Neudorf Vineyards at Upper Moutere on 27 February and Auckland’s Western Springs on 4 March.
Sting was also due to perform in Hawke’s Bay at The Mission Estate Winery on 4 March but the concert has been officially cancelled.
“Out of respect to those affected by the devastating impact of Cyclone Gabrielle and in the interest of focusing critical attention and resources on relief efforts … Sting’s concert at Mission Estate Winery in Napier will no longer proceed,” the promoters said in a statement on Monday.
A donation would be made by Sting and Live Nation to the Hawke’s Bay Foundation’s Cyclone Relief Fund, they said.
Previous cancellations in the region include concerts by Elton John and Fatboy Slim, as well as festivals such as Laneway, One Love and Festival One.
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90% of Viagogo tickets in NZ ‘sold by scalpers’
“Scalpers” were responsible for 90% of tickets sold through Viagogo in New Zealand, a court has heard.
The NZ Commerce Commission has gone to Auckland’s High Court, seeking a declaration that Viagogo misled consumers by claiming to be an “official” seller of “guaranteed” tickets to events, including concerts.
Stuff reports it also wants the court to make an order requiring the Swiss-headquartered resale site to make clear to customers that it is not an official ticket seller.
“Viagogo admits that over 90% of tickets that are sold in New Zealand are from scalpers; people selling tickets in commercial quantities,” says Andy Luck, representing the commission. “It’s a website for ticket scalpers to sell to the general public.”
Luck says that Viagogo resold just over 323,000 tickets to event in New Zealand between 18 July 2016 and 31 October 2022, with the court told that 1,300 complaints or communications about the company had been received by the commission.
“Viagogo tells the world it’s a secondary market, and the world knows it”
Viagogo denies misleading consumers or using the word “official” in relation to any event. “Viagogo tells the world it’s a secondary market, and the world knows it,” says Aaron Lloyd, representing the platform.
The case is due to conclude early next month.
The commission previously sought an interim injunction preventing Viagogo making allegedly “misleading” representations back in 2020, but withdrew its claim after the firm made changes to its website.
Last year, an investigation by ITV News, based on research carried out by anti-touting campaign group FanFair Alliance, found that just three people were responsible for over two thirds of UK festival and outdoor event tickets listed by Viagogo. Fewer than 10% of tickets on the site were being sold by ordinary consumers, it added.
In response, Viagogo said it “acted swiftly to remove the relevant listings and have returned several to the site that have clearly demonstrated that they are legitimate and valid”.
Viagogo MD Cris Miller says in a separate statement: “Viagogo cannot make detailed comment on the legal claims while the matter is before the court. However, we can say that the issues raised by the Commerce Commission relate to the way our ticketing website worked in the past and do not reflect current operations.
“We believe that we have addressed the matters of concern raised by the NZ Commerce Commission and have made it a priority to ensure the Viagogo website is operated transparently and in compliance with consumer expectations and consumer protection legislation. We remain committed to complying with these requirements.
“While it would be easy to prejudge Viagogo in this matter, we ask that you allow the court process to play out and hear the perspective of both sides.”
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Ed Sheeran to break New Zealand stadium record
Ed Sheeran is set to break the attendance record at New Zealand’s Sky Stadium this week, with 48,000 fans expected at the singer’s sold-out concert.
The 31-year-old brings his +–=÷× Tour (AKA the Mathematics Tour) to the Wellington venue tomorrow (2 February) ahead of two shows at Auckland’s Eden Park next week.
Stuff reports the Sky Stadium concert is on track to top the venue’s current record set by Eminem, who attracted 46,474 fans to his March 2019 date. A Guns ‘N Roses performance at the stadium drew more than 25,000 in December 2022.
“This is the first show of Ed’s Australia and New Zealand tour, and the single largest day event the stadium has ever held”
“This is the first show of Ed’s Australia and New Zealand tour, and the single largest day event the stadium has ever held,” says Sky Stadium chief executive Shane Harmon.
The Frontier Touring-presented gig is scheduled to go ahead despite the recent flash floods and landslides that hit the north island. The “biblical” weather saw a number of major concerts and festivals in New Zealand cancelled, including Laneway Festival and stadium shows by Elton John after Auckland declared a state of emergency.
According to Newshub, bosses at Auckland’s 50,000-cap Eden Park say they are “100% focused” on making sure the venue is “fit for purpose” for Sheeran’s 10-11 February dates after the cricket ground was submerged by heavy rain.
The tour, Sheeran’s first visit to the region since 2018, switches to Australia next month for stops at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (17-19 February), Sydney’s Accor Stadium (24-25 February), Melbourne Cricket Ground (2-3 March), Adelaide Oval (7 March) and Perth’s Optus Stadium (12 March), before heading to the US in May. Sheeran is represented by Wasserman Music’s Marty Diamond in North America and One Fiinix Live’s Jon Ollier for the rest of the world.
Click here to read IQ‘s in-depth feature on The Mathematics Tour.
Sheeran’s previous 255 show ÷ (Divide) run from 2017-19 surpassed U2’s 360° as the highest-grossing tour ever, with a gross of US$776.2 million. It also set a new record for total attendance, at 8,796,567, according to Pollstar data.
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NZ live events cancelled due to “biblical weather”
A number of major concerts and festivals in New Zealand have been cancelled due to flash floods and landslides on the north island, with the death toll rising to four.
Elton John’s concert, scheduled for last Friday (27 January) at Mount Smart stadium in Auckland, was cancelled less than half an hour before he was due to take to the stage.
Thousands were already at the venue when organisers decided to cancel the concert, which is part of John’s farewell tour. Around 40,000 fans were expected to attend.
Chugg Entertainment, AEG Presents and Frontier Touring also cancelled John’s Saturday show at the stadium after Auckland declared a state of emergency.
Laneway Festival was due to kick off today (30 January) at Western Springs stadium in Auckland with acts including Haim, Phoebe Bridgers, Fred Again and Joji.
The festival was cancelled on Saturday (28 January) afternoon, with organisers saying that they had worked “around the clock to do everything they can to salvage the site, but the damage and disruption… meant that it is no longer safe to proceed.”
Laneway Festival was due to kick off today with acts including Haim, Phoebe Bridgers, Fred Again and Joji
After an almost three-year hiatus while Covid restrictions were in place, tickets to the upcoming festival sold out in just 90 minutes, for the first time in the event’s decade-long history, triggering a change of venue and an extra release of tickets.
Elsewhere, Fat Boy Slim’s Saturday night concert at Tremain Park in Napier was called off on the morning of by tour organisers Endeavour Live. The DJ played Christchurch the night prior.
Tauranga’s One Love festival was also called off, for the first time in history according to festival organisers.
“From site flooding to high winds to artists being stuck in Auckland, thunderstorms predicted and heavy rain tomorrow as well, we are unable to safely and logistically deliver One Love.”
The reggae festival was due to be held on Saturday and Sunday in the Tauranga Domain, with local and international acts including UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, L.A.B, J Boog, Fiji, Sons of Zion, Kolohe Kai, Rebel Souljahz, Katchafire, and Sean Kingston.
Festival One in Kaipara was also pulled due to weather of “biblical proportions”, according to an announcement on the festival’s Facebook page.
Festival One said that half their ticket holders were already on site and asked them to stand by for more instructions.
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New Zealand festival rained off
The Tauranga leg of New Zealand travelling festival A Summer Day’s Live has been called off by organisers after falling victim to the weather.
The event had been set to take place yesterday (4 January) at Trustpower Baypark, headlined by UB40 with support from Jefferson Starship and Dragon.
However, the decision was made to cancel “due to current and forecasted adverse weather conditions” after a number of weather warnings were issued for parts of the North Island.
“We had an amazing show planned, however safety is our top priority”
“We had an amazing show planned, however safety is our top priority and this call has been made with our customers and staff first in mind,” says a statement from promoter Neptune Entertainment.
A Summer’s Day Live kicked off last week with stops in Napier, New Plymouth and Matakana, while further editions are slated for Nelson and Queenstown from 6-7 January.
Hip-hop and R&B festival Juicy Fest is currently scheduled to take place at Trustpower Baypark tomorrow (6 January), with promoter Glenn Meikle telling the Bay of Plenty Times he is still expecting the event to go ahead.
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Eps appoints new Australia/NZ management team
Munich-headquartered event infrastructure service provider eps has announced a new management team for its Australia and New Zealand operation.
Dean Andreula, who will be responsible for sales, marketing, and project management, and Anthony Pezzimenti, who will look after business administration, legal and finance, have been named co-MDs by the firm.
Both will be supported by Jason Bradley, head of logistics and warehouses for eps in Australia and New Zealand.
“We humbly thank our current managing director, Adrian Dalton, and seating manager Julie Macdonald,” say Sebastian Tobie and Ralf Mueller, MDs of parent company eps event holding. “As friends of eps, both have managed to guide the Australian and New Zealand branches through the Covid-19 pandemic into a promising future.
“It was agreed that eps Australia would need a renewed board after the pandemic, which has now been implemented”
“It was agreed that eps Australia would need a renewed board after the pandemic, which has now been implemented.”
Tobie says that, in Andreula, the company was happy to have an internal candidate.
“Over the last years, Dean has proven that his forte is being able to connect with our customers and engage their trust by demonstrating that eps delivers a high standard of quality products and service,” says Tobie. “Furthermore, Dean was the key driver integrating the acquired Eventfloor business into the eps world.”
Pezzimenti, meanwhile, has a “proven track record”, with extensive executive and general management experience in the events and hospitality industry.
“We feel very confident that the future of eps Australia will be bright with this team and the support of Adrian Dalton and Julie Macdonald, who remain part of the eps family,” adds Mueller.
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Metronomy, Stormzy latest acts to call off tours
Tour cancellations are mounting, with Metronomy and Stormzy becoming the latest artists to scrap plans.
In the last couple of months, Santigold, Arlo Parks, Shawn Mendes, Sam Fender, Russ, Wet Leg and Disclosure have all cancelled dates due to mental health concerns, while Placebo, alt-J, Pale Waves and Anthrax have scrapped appearances due to “logistical issues”.
Yesterday (29 September) English electronic group Metronomy followed suit, pulling the plug on their upcoming tour of North America.
“Touring America is one of the most expensive and exhausting things a band can do,” wrote the band in a post on Instagram.
“When you’re a young band, that time spent touring the states is the only way that you would want to spend it. But, when you’re a little older and a little wiser, you start weighing up the time you spend on the road against the time you spend with loved ones at home,” it continued.
“Right now, it doesn’t make sense for us to come I’m afraid. We’ve had an incredibly busy year of gigs and festivals and now need to afford some of the same time and attention to our home lives.”
The tour was due to kick off this October but the majority of shows have now been postponed until May 2023. The band will still play their Los Angeles show at The Wiltern on 27 October and at the Pepsi Centre in Mexico City two days later as planned.
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Meanwhile, Stormzy has called time on his Australia and New Zealand tour due to “circumstances beyond my control”.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to inform you guys that due to circumstances beyond my control, I must cancel international commitments for the remainder of the year which includes my Australian and New Zealand tour,” a statement from the rapper reads.
“You guys have waited so patiently and I am so sorry that this has to happen after all these ups and downs. I love you guys and I promise I will be back as soon as I can with a show that’s bigger and better than ever.”
Stormzy was set to perform at Spilt Milk festival as well as headline shows at HBF Stadium in Perth, two nights at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, Riverstage in Brisbane, John Cain Arena in Melbourne and AEC Theatre in Adelaide.
The shows were originally scheduled for 2020 before being halted by the pandemic. Many fans have waited close to three years for the shows after buying tickets. It was set to be Stormzy’s first appearance in Australia in five years.
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Elton tour on target to be biggest Oz/NZ run ever
Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road run is shaping up to become the biggest tour in Australia and New Zealand history after promoters announced a fresh slate of shows.
Staged by Chugg Entertainment, Frontier Touring and AEG Presents, dates have been added at the 30,000-cap McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle (8 January), the 30,000-cap AAMI Park, Melbourne (14 January) and the 45,000-cap Allianz Stadium in Sydney (17 January).
The Australasia leg of the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour was the biggest tour globally in the first half of 2020, according to Pollstar. Sir Elton grossed US$87.1m from 38 shows during the mid-year reporting period, with a total of 664,749 tickets sold, before touring ground to a pandemic-induced halt in March 2020.
The all-time list is currently headed by Ed Sheeran’s 2018 Divide tour, which racked up 950,000 ticket sales, and Dire Straits’ 1986 Brothers In Arms tour, which moved 900,000. However, Farewell Yellow Brick Road will go to the top of the list with 980,500 tickets sold if the remaining concerts sell out.
“If we sell every ticket, we will be just shy of a million”
“If we sell every ticket, we will be just shy of a million over all the Farewell YBR shows,” promoter Michael Chugg tells The Music Network.
Comprising well over 300 shows, the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour kicked off in the US in September 2018 and it currently scheduled to wrap up in Europe in summer 2023.
Prior to the new shows being announced, the overall sales tally for Australia/New Zealand leg was set to settle on 875,000, putting it in third place in the region historically. Tickets for the latest set of dates went on sale on Monday (1 August).
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Mark Vaughan to head up LN’s promoter team in Oz/Nz
Live Nation has appointed Mark Vaughan as vice president of talent and artist development for Australia and New Zealand.
In his new role, Vaughan will head up the promoter team in the two markets as they continue to manage a growing pipeline of tours in the region.
Australia-born Vaughan is a long-time promoter who has spent most of his career working in Europe. He was previously based in Oslo as a partner/promoter at Nordic live entertainment powerhouse All Things Live.
Roger Field, president of Live Nation Asia Pacific, comments: “Bringing in a world-class promoter like Mark Vaughan is a great addition to our Live Nation team as he brings in-depth knowledge of Australia, New Zealand and the global touring market, especially as artists continue expanding their tours around the world. Mark has a proven track record of delivering hit tours for huge artists, and we look forward to him continuing that success at Live Nation and welcoming him home.”
“Mark has a proven track record of delivering hit tours for huge artists”
Vaughan adds: “For a long time I have been closely following the live market in Australia and New Zealand and admiring the work of Live Nation. The team are delivering a stellar roster and growing number of tours from entry-level club acts to stadium artists, and it’s super exciting to come back home and lead a talented, successful and dynamic promoter team.”
Vaughan will be relocating to Melbourne and starting with Live Nation on 1 August, working alongside Live Nation’s existing promoter team.
Live Nation Concerts’ talent and touring team handles hundreds of tours each year across Australia and New Zealand, and the globe, working with artists including Crowded House, Dua Lipa, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Drake, U2, Jay-Z, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, BTS, Pink, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, BTS, and many more.
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