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Big acts heading our way
Topic Started: Aug 19 2006, 07:33 PM (102 Views)
JoanneVIP
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THE BOSS


OUR seemingly insatiable thirst for major-league entertainment, and a strong Australian dollar, have combined to produce one of the most remarkable concert schedules in decades.

Promoters are gambling tens of millions of dollars by flooding the market with international shows, at a time when Australians are battling with increased mortgage repayments and soaring petrol prices.

Eric Clapton and Carole King are among the latest big acts to be confirmed for Australian gigs this summer.

The Chili Peppers, riding high in the charts with their album, Stadium Arcadium, will play Sydney's Acer Arena next April; tickets on sale September 1.

King, best-known for her multi-million-selling early 1970s album Tapestry, will play her first-ever Australian gigs at the Hunter Valley's Tempus Two winery on November 25, and at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on November 30. Tickets go on sale on August 29.

Clapton is playing at Sydney Entertainment Centre on January 29.

Between now and the end of summer, dozens of other top-line foreign artists will flock to Australia to escape the northern autumn and winter, and earn some serious money along the way.

They include U2, Tool, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Placebo, Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam, Gomez, Buzzcocks, Ben Folds, Westlife, Dwight Yoakam and Dashboard Confessional.

High-profile local acts such as The Living End, Rogue Traders, Kasey Chambers and Bernard Fanning will also hit the road.

The festival calendar is taking shape, with Homebake, the Big Day Out, V and Good Vibrations already locked in.

The Countdown Spectacular will provide a wander down memory lane, with a line-up including Sherbet, Leo Sayer, Hush and JPY.

Meanwhile, punters' ears will likely be ringing for days after the Gigantour package tour at the Hordern Pavilion on October 2, featuring no-nonsense rockers Soulfly, Megadeth and Arch Enemy.
With the local dollar buying about US76c, up from US47c five years ago, foreign tours have become more viable for local promoters, who are forced to pay many artists in US dollars.

"It's the best it's ever been,'' veteran impresario Michael Chugg, who is bringing out Robbie Williams and Elton John, said.

"It's quite amazing. There are a whole lot of people who weren't into live music 10 years ago who are now going to shows. Are they escaping the terrorism, the petrol prices, mortgages?

"I have no idea. If I knew why, I would be retired.''

Yet, despite the dollar's relative strength against the greenback, concert tickets remain a luxury for many people, even though nosebleed specials are available at certain shows.

Billy Joel tickets cost between $98 and $190, while Pearl Jam is charging $103 for its arena shows.

Other concerts include Dixie Chicks ($99-$119), U2 ($63-$203), Robbie Williams ($100-$150), Ben Folds ($72-$92), Elvis Presley's backing band ($75-$150) and Westlife ($90-$100).

Former Supremes leader Diana Ross is not shy, slugging punters between $290 and $490 for her Capitol Theatre concert on November 3.

Budget-conscious Motown fans may be forced to bypass Ross in favour of former Supremes members Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence, who will perform at the Capitol Theatre on September 23 ($66-$90).

There is concern among smaller promoters that the slew of international acts may damage the local scene.

"Whether the big shows will have a knock-on effect, we will just have to wait and see,'' said Custom-Made's Dave Batty, who represents local artists such as Regurgitator, Jen Cloher and The Tremors.

"People might prefer to pay $15 or $20 to see a local band.''

For Diana Ross and Carole King interviews, read the IE liftout in The Sunday Telegraph.

source: http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/sto...5006009,00.html
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