Sir Elton John concerts hit a high note
Sir Elton John’s ‘gift is his song’ and he sang them twice for the Sunshine Coast this week.
The global superstar’s two Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour concerts also hit plenty of high notes for our region.
More than 31,000 people attended over the two events, including a Sunshine Coast Stadium record crowd of 15,678 to the opening concert on Tuesday, March 3.
Promoter and Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg said the Sunshine Coast had put itself on the map of Australia for major touring and music acts.
“I’m very impressed with the Stadium, it’s a fantastic venue which is evident in the two incredible nights Elton just performed. Although there are few areas that need to be streamlined, overall the experience was sensational,” Mr Chugg said.
“Working with the team on the Sunshine Coast, the way management have really thrown themselves into this and the enthusiasm for the shows has been great,” Mr Chugg said.
“When you consider that we’d already played three Brisbane events and two events near the Gold Coast to come here and do this is fantastic.
“I was at a restaurant here the other night and the people at the next table were from the Hunter Valley and the people at the next table over were from Melbourne so it’s great people travelled from everywhere to see these shows.”
The Sunshine Coast Stadium concerts were the 177th and 178th on Sir Elton John’s global Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour that began in September 2018 and will wind up in February 2021.
Sunshine Coast Council Manager for Sport and Community Venues Grantley Switzer said the two concerts had provided a timely boost to the local economy in what is traditionally a quiet period between Christmas and Easter Holidays.
“The two Sir Elton John concerts combined have brought in around 14,000 visitors to our region and will contribute more than $3 million in economic impact via accommodation, dining, visits to local attractions and experiences as well as shopping and other localised spending,” Mr Switzer said.
“The enormous promotional and visitation benefits to the region from this event and the potential to secure other international acts in the future will be felt for many years to come. “Importantly, these Sir Elton John concerts also provided world-class entertainment for our local community and enable them to see shows of this calibre locally rather than having to travel to Brisbane or interstate.”