Industrial Strength: September 26
ELTON JOHN INJECTING BIG BUCKS FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIES
Elton John’s Once In A Lifetime Australian regional tour has been a boon for the regions he plays in to a total audience of over 50,000.
In the first stop, in Mackay in North Queensland, last Friday among the 15,000 at the BB Print Stadium were 5000 from outside the region and 200 from overseas.
According to Mayor Greg Williamson, the show generated over $3.2 million from visitors.
In Cairns this Saturday, Sir Elton has the biggest crowd ever, with 25,000, double that of the previous record set in 2001 by the Cowboys vs. Panthers NRL game.
Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said both shows would also “highlight regional Queensland’s capacity to host world-class concerts and showcase our unique tourism experiences”
Mackay set up a permanent Yellow Brick Road mural and renamed Casey Avenue, the road to the stadium Elton John Ave.
The Wollongong show at WIN Entertainment on Sunday night generated over $3 million to the city’s economy, according to Destination Wollongong General Manager Mark Sleigh.
Approximately 40% of the 20,000-strong crowd came from outside the region, he said, adding that its success could mean more major music acts would consider playing there.
Restaurants were full, taxis had their best night since New Year’s Eve and residents without tickets threw Elton-themed parties.
MUSICNSW LATEST SOUND ADVICE TONIGHT
The latest in MusicNSW’s Sound Advice series is titled Sound Mind & Deep Web.
Hosted by FBi Radio’s Alex Pye, Sound Mind sees Eva Trifonas (Incgnto, Ninja Tune), Marcus Whale (musician) and Sharon Draper (psychologist) discussing how to keep your shit together whilst also touring, being broke and dealing with difficult band mate.
For Deep Web, Alex Vans-Colina (Warner Music Australia), Melody Forghani (twnty three) and Vanessa Picken (Comes With Fries) offer tips on making the most of online platforms including social media and streaming services.
It’s on tonight (Tuesday September 26), 6-9pm at 107 Projects, Redfern. It’s free with RSVP on the website. For more info, head to the Sound Advice website.
DAVE GILMOUR CONCERT FILM BOX OFFICE HIT IN AUSTRALIA
The screening of former Pink Floyd guitarist and singer Dave Gilmour’s Live At Pompeii concert movie was a hit in Australia after a one-day-only screening in 2000 theatres in selected territories around the world.
According to UK distributor Trafalgar Releasing, the September 13 screening reached #5 at the Australian box office.
It was #1 in Germany, Italy and France, #2 in the UK and #3 in Mexico. It was also #5 in the Netherlands.
Over 425,000 fans attended the viewings, making it Trafalgar Releasing’s ”biggest ever one-off music event,” according to its CEO Marc Allenby.
Gilmour filmed the show in 4K over two days in June 2016 at the 2500-capacity Roman Amphitheatre at Pompeii, 45 years after Pink Floyd’s concert there.
It will be released worldwide on download, CD, vinyl, DVD and Blu-ray on September 29.
360 SETS RETURN WITH VINTAGE MODERN
Multi-platinum Australian rapper 360 has announced that his fourth studio album Vintage Modern is set for release on October 27.
The build-up to the release indicates a high debut. A direct-to-fan campaign called VI saw him drop six new tracks for streaming with accompanying videos directly to his 10,000 member strong Facebook fan group The Close Circle.
Across all platforms, the campaign reached over 8 million people on social media, with 25,000 social shares.
When he made his return to the stage after three years, he sold out shows in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
Lead off single Yesterday, an acoustic rap featuring Sydney singer/songwriter Hein Cooper, was released last week.
360 explains the song: “I think it’s quite common for people to have a falling out with a close friend of theirs.
“If their approach is to constantly talk shit about you and attempt to bring you down, take the higher ground.
“It can be hard but put all the bullshit behind you and genuinely wish them all the best.
“ It might sound clichéd but life’s too short to hold on to all the negative shit, just move forward.
“If they hate, show them love. Fuck holding grudges”
STUDY SHOWS HOW MILLENNIALS VALUE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
The stereotype of Millennials preferring “experience” over “ownership” was emphasised in a new UK study by event technology and ticketing platform Eventbrite of that age group’s behaviour at music festivals.
To ensure they can remember the whole experience, up to 18% don’t drink and many will spend their last £10 on food than alcohol. As part of the selfie generation, they are highly aware of always looking good, and at being in places which is deemed cool by their peers.
Hence, according to Brighter Futures, the 21—37 year olds opt for the Isle of Wight (it’s the coolest),Download (the edgiest) and Glastonbury (best on social media).
ACAST TO EXPAND AUSSIE CONTENT
Global on-demand audio and podcasting platform Acast could expand its Australian operations after securing $24.3 million Series B funding, Radio Today reported.
The company’s Henrik Isaksson, Country Manager – Australia said that the funding will support Acast’s efforts in Australia and his priority is to grow the platform’s presence helping local podcast providers monetise content and give listeners an enjoyable place to discover it.
Since launching in Australia in February 2017, the company has taken local content to the world and recently signed with Nova Entertainment establishing the biggest podcast player in the Australian market due to their combined inventory
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FRANK ZAPPA BACK AS HOLOGRAM
The late Frank Zappa toured Australia in 1973, and more recently his guitarist son Dweezil has also kept his music alive here with tours. One was in 2009, and five theatre shows are set next year between February 22 to 27.
Now Eyellusion, the company behind the Ronnie James Dio hologram, has teamed with the Zappa family to create a similar venture.
No dates are set yet. But the show will be a mix of his best known and unreleased material, with the possibility of Dweezil performing guitar solos with the old man, and daughter Moon Unit singing Valley Girl with him.
Zappa collaborators like Steve Vai, Ian Underwood, Adrian Belew and Arthur Barrow will also be involved.
PUSH TO BRING ID SCANNER REVIEW FORWARD
Three months ago when ID scanners were introduced throughout Queensland’s safe night precincts, the backlash from venues was so vocal that the state Government promised a review next year.
But aside from pushing for the law to be postponed for another year until the technical glitches are ironed out, venues owners are also asking that the Government bring the review forward to this year.
Talking to the Townsville Bulletin, CBD Townsville Liquor Accord President Mark Napier, also owner of the Mad Cow, pointed out the urgency of a review.
He said that one licensed venue lost between $80,000 and $100,000 in revenue over the bar in July, and another had to quadruple door staff to get through impatient queues.
“(They) have increased staff costs of $3000 per week to operate the door and $1500 a month … for the ID machine,” he told the newspaper.
Heritage Exchange owner Emmanuel Bogiatzis suggested that older patrons be allowed in without ID at the venue’s discretion.
NEW CBAA SESSIONS: FAKE NEWS, PODCASTS, ENGAGING COMMUNITIES
Latest sessions announced for the CBAA (Community Broadcasting Association of Australia) Conference on the Gold Coast.
International broadcast training consultant, broadcaster, author Steve Ahern will discuss the role of radio in this era of fake news.
Emma Lancaster (Executive Producer, Just Words, 2ser, The Wire, Radio National) and Bec Fary (Supervising Producer and Victorian State Coordinator, All The Best, SYN Media) will present a session on what makes a podcast successful and their differences to radio.
Chris Roper (SIAC member at CBF, previously Australian Indigenous Communications Association), and Charitha Dissanayake (PhD researcher in ethnic broadcasting at Deakin University, board member at 3MDR) will discuss engaging with indigenous and ethnic communities.
MOVES….
* Audio Network Australia is now at 11/2 Kings Lane, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
* Resist Records is moving on September 30 to a new location, 38 Chapel St, Marrickville in Sydney
AUSSIES WIN AT FESTIVAL & EVENT CITY AWARDS
Australia was centre stage at the US IFEA World Festival & Event City Awards, “recognizing the best in community leadership and festival and event partnerships around the world.”
Winners were Sydney, as well as Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie in NSW and the Gold Coast.
Gold Coasts Mayor Tom Tate said that the win put his turf alongside major event destinations such as Dubai, Dublin, London, Shanghai and Boston,
He noted the Gold Coast staged 900 events, 35 supported by Council as part of its major events portfolio, which injected around $200 million into the local community.
He added “With the tourism and events industry worth $25 billion to the Queensland state economy, we’re going to continue to work post-Games to ensure the Gold Coast continues to snag a big slice of this investment.”
MUSEXPO 2018 ANNOUNCES SPEAKERS
The first round of speakers at MUSEXPO in Los Angeles (April 29 – May 1) includes reps from the BBC, Capitol Records, Music Week, Music Business Worldwide, Hit The Ground Running and 7digital. See www.musexpo.net for full list.
Next year, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 will be recognised as International Music Icon of the Year.
VALE
* Bob Perry started on Adelaide radio in the mid-60s, hosting 5AD’s Saturday Night. He was also its weekend surf and shark patrol reporter. From there he moved to television, first with 7 and then at 9 where he was News Editor and Chief of Staff. He set up his own Newsmakers Media Services and played a pivotal role in the broadcasting of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
* Sydney-born David Lyle was essentially a TV executive in Australia, the UK and in the US. But he was also a fan of pop culture, and weaved that in his TV projects when he headed Nine’s entertainment slate. Lyle went to Los Angeles in 2001 as head of FremantleMedia North America where he helped launch American Idol on Fox. He died at 67 from cancer.
AND A FEW OTHER THINGS…
The Australian dates for Download Festival will be announced in October, most likely for staging in March 2018.
The Melbourne music community said its farewells to engineer and producer John French yesterday at his funeral in Guildford in country Victoria. Eulogies were by Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs’ drummer Gil Matthews and engineer/producer Karen Hewitt who worked early in her career at French’s Fast Forward studios. Representing the ‘70s Sunbury festival whee French got his start, were co-owner Peter Evans (whose book on the festival is completed) and its stage manager Adrian Anderson.
The High Court legal action between New Order and Peter Hook has been settled. But it’s doubtful that the two camps, who’ve toured Australia separately, will play together. Hook claimed that he lost £2 million in royalties when the three members of New Order reunited in 2011 without him. He also argued that the 1.25% he received from New Order royalties, merchandise and touring was too low and should have been 12.5%.
Rudely Interrupted, the band made up of musicians with disabilities, are off behind their fifth album Love You Till I Die to do six cities in three countries. The visit marks a return to Germany and debuts in Sweden and Poland. They return in November for a regional run. The album was produced by the band with Greg Wales ((You Am I, The Cat Empire).
The 4thRegional Song Contest opens on October 1. Prizes include an acoustic guitar, six months tuition and live slots at the Tamworth country music festival. Organiser Fretfest lists as its finds, Pete Murray, 17 year old Harry Marshall from Emerald in Central Queensland who went on to be signed to the A&R Dept, and 16 year old Molly Millington from Woy Woy on the NSW central Coast who won the grommet section of the 2017 Bluesfest Busking competition and the 2017 Today’s Country 94.1 Brand New Star competition and won a Top 10 place in the Tamworth Busking Competition.
The full cast and final tickets have been released for Twisted Broadway, the charity concert in support of the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) and Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre on Monday October 2.
Hot 100 took out a win at the Darwin radio ratings, with 34.4% of the market, with 60,000 listeners mostly from the younger demo. MIX 104.9 and ABC Radio Darwin attracted older listeners.
The BBC is launching a 6-part music series called Sounds Like Friday Night looking at established and emerging UK acts. Royal Blood composed and performed the theme song.
Mariah Carey’s NBCUniversal cable network documentary series Mariah’s World is not returning for Season 2. The first ran over eight episodes looking at her world tour.