Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium gets more concerts

After an enthusiastic response from an eight-week online poll, the Queensland Government has increased the number of concerts at Brisbane’s 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium from four to six a calendar year from 2016.

Acting Premier Curtis Pitt said that of the near-4,300 who completed the survey, “More than 83% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that Suncorp Stadium should be allowed to stage more than four concerts each year.”

Almost 80% added that attending a concert at the stadium added to their entertainment experience.

The four-concert limit was introduced in 2006 as the area around the stadium began to draw more residents.

But in recent times, some residents signalled that events at the venue were good for businesses in the area. Promoters also complained they needed something bigger than the 13,500-seat Brisbane Entertainment Centre to stage major acts.

The crunch came this year when the cap was reached for the first time since 2006. In this case, Suncorp had to turn down AC/DC – and Sport and Racing Minister Bill Byrne, whose portfolio covers the stadium, is a massive fan.

“Effectively we had to turn away AC/DC because of the cap and like a lot of AC/DC fans, I was very disappointed,” he said.

Given the public go-ahead, Pitt said, “By working together with the local community we can deliver six events each year and more opportunities for local tourism and local businesses which support these major events. We want to see more international performers and headline acts coming to Brisbane.”

Last year Suncorp hosted 45 major events hosting over 1.2 million patrons.

In recent years, the size of Suncorp allowed Brisbane to attract U2, Foo Fighters, Andre Rieu, One Direction, Bon Jovi, Coldplay, Taylor Swift and Robbie Williams.

The Government hopes drawing more international names to Brisbane will not only have a greater economic benefit but raise its profile as an international city.

This year, after Foo Fighters and One Direction in February, Ed Sheeran plays there on November 28 and Taylor Swift on December 5.

Image: Taylor Swift at Suncorp Stadium during her Red Tour in 2013