Melbourne promoters and venues continue to mark their presence globally as US-based global live trade magazine Pollstar crunched up the Q3 2017 numbers. Of the five Australian promoters in the Top 100, the leading two are based in Melbourne – Frontier Touring was at #17 with 587, 098 tickets, followed at #21 with TEG Dainty with 534 821.
Of the Top 200 clubs, the Corner Hotel had the Australian lead, at #20: after selling 80, 580 tickets. The Northcote Social Club was third, at #112 (22, 780), 170 Russell was sixth-ranked #182 (8, 366) and the Forum Theatre at #193 (7.553).
Of Top 200 Arenas, Melbourne lagged behind other states, Rod Laver Arena coming in fifth Australian spot (and #97 globally) with 125, 623 tickets, Hisense Arena at #193 with 36, 502 paying customers, and Margaret Court Arena at #200 with 35, 184. Of theatres, Hamer Hall was #172 with 24, 772 (beaten by three in Sydney and one in Brisbane). Of 200 Outdoor Stadiums/Festival Sites, Melbourne Cricket Ground was #60 (from total ticket sales of 73, 114 for music acts) at #81 was Etihad Stadium (54, 821) and at #92 AAMI Park (51, 192).
Peter Evans’ Australia’s Greatest Rock Festival book looks at the highlights of the legendary Sunbury festivals of the ‘70s. Anecdotes include glam-rock Queen being booed and told “go home, p******s,” and a near brawl between AC/DC and Deep Purple.
As part of Darebin Music Feast, Music Victoria have once again put together You Can’t Be What You Can’t See. Held on Friday October 20 between 6pm – 7.30pm at Open Studio, the event’s aimed at women, people of non-cis male gender and people of colour. The panel will tell stories of pathways to success and provide insights into gaining confidence, being an ace public speaker and ‘cutting through’.
New Melbourne Signings: With their third album set for release in early 2018 and dates around the world planned, Palace Of The King inked a world deal with Golden Robot Records. Golden Syrup, AKA visual, sound and performance artist Sara Retallick, unveiled plans for a self-titled album through Nice Records. Guitar pop band Totally Mild are now with Chapter Music. Moonlover, musical project of mystic reveller Quang Dinh, is added to Our Golden Friend. And 123 Agency added Sydney punk outfit Bare Bones to its roster.
Dance is the fourth most popular genre in Australia, and it’s most dedicated fans are female millennials, according to The Asia Pacific Dance Music Study. They made up 12% of the 1,016 Australians surveyed.
