Chugg Entertainment has been blasted by fans upset with the decision to relocate two Bluesfest headliners from their scheduled outdoor concerts at a winery in the Hunter Valley to the far less natural environs of the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, while promoters downplay flagging ticket sales as the reason for the downgrade.
Chugg Entertainment’s Facebook page lit up with angry complaints from disgruntled fans following the announcement that concerts by Paul Simon and Robert Plant on March 30th and 31st had been re-scheduled from the Hope Estate winery in the Hunter Valley to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
Ticketholders were upset not only at the change of venue, but the lack of notification until the 11th hour, with plans for travel and accommodation already booked to see the international music icons, who are already scheduled to play concerts at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
An initial explanation from the promoter cited that the gigs were moved because the Entertainment Centre was “a more intimate venue” reports the Sydney Morning Herald, the arena ‘reconfigured’ to accomodate 4,500 people, which was equally met with outcries from angered fans. “More intimate? Being crammed inside a second-rate indoor venue?” wrote one commenter.
An inside source says that the concerts were relocated at the request of artist management following poor ticket sales to the outdoor shows, but Chugg Entertainment has declined that it was the reason for the move; “we really do apologise for the inconvenience caused which is why we are offering some assistance,” noted Chugg Entertainment, offering a post on their social media for alternative plans for refunds, accommodation, and travel.
An inside source says that the concerts were relocated at the request of artist management following poor ticket sales to the outdoor shows, but Chugg Entertainment has declined that it was the reason for the move.
The promoters refused to acknowledge that the last minute shuffle was due to ailing ticket sales, but as but ABC News reports, did admit that the ‘competition for the concert dollar’ is currently fierce in the music landscape.
Michael Hope, of the Hope Estate winery where the concerts were to be held, denies that the popularity of outdoor events is waning. “I just think unless it’s the real big names that people are dead keen to go that they’re being cautious with their money,” he said.
Of the decision to move Paul Simon and Robert Plant, Mr Hope says he was disappointed to hear of the move and was ‘left in the lurch’ by promoters. “I begged and pleaded with him to say mate, leave the shows here,” Hope says of his dealings with the concert promoters. “He just said look, ultimately he has to work in with what management of the artists want, and based on the tickets they’ve sold they have decided the best place for them to put those shows on is Newcastle Entertainment Centre.”
The Hope Estate has had major success with outdoor music events in previous years, including drawing a 19,000 strong crowd for the reunited Fleetwood Mac in 2009, while the likes of Day On The Green have made a profitable business out of using wine country as stomping grounds for touring bands. But following the Hoodoo Gurus-headlined Geelong event that was derailed by poor catering and management, there are concerns that interest in outdoor events is ailing.
Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism Executive Manager Dean Goddard however, refutes the suggestion. “I wouldn’t say that the bubble has come and gone,” he explained to ABC News. “What I would say is that the demand for concerts is still strong and it fluctuates with time. We’re still seeing some really good events and concerts that have happened and we still see a future for outdoor concerts.”
Mr Goddard pointed to the Lovedale Long Lunch and Opera and Jazz In The Vines as regional outdoor events that were still bringing big numbers with their unique location and musical focus.
“We’ve got a really good variety of events, we think the outdoor music concerts are a really great selling point for the region but we also have a number of other events that have been going anything from 15-20 years.”
Whether an issue of a few poor exceptions in an otherwise strong industry trend, or the smaller symptoms of a larger decline, Chugg Entertainment is still dealing with the fallout of its Easter Weekend reshuffle. Stating in their Facebook post that they while they can off “a full refund of the entire cost of the concert ticket (including all fees and charges)” to punters at their point of purchase, “regrettably, we are unable to reimburse any accommodation costs or other auxiliary expenses incurred by patrons.”
Chugg Entertainment have also set up a replacement coach service “available from the Hunter Valley to Newcastle (returning after the concert) for $10 per person.”
“Expressions of interest require lodgement through Rover Coaches http://www.rovercoaches.com.au/. Availability is limited and patrons are advised to get in quickly to secure seats.”
Robert Plant Australian Tour 2013 Dates & Tickets
MAR 23 – AUSTRALIA, Perth – West Coast Blues & Roots Festival
Tickets: www.moshtix.com.au
MAR 26 – AUSTRALIA, Adelaide – Entertainment Centre
Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au
MAR 28 – AUSTRALIA, Sydney – Entertainment Centre
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au
MAR 30 – AUSTRALIA, Byron Bay – Bluesfest
Tickets: www.bluesfest.com.au
MAR 31 – Hunter Valley, AUSTRALIA – Newcastle Entertainment Centre (moved from Hope Estate)
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au/Robert-Plant-tickets/artist/735867
APRIL 3 – AUSTRALIA, Melbourne – Rod Laver Arena
Tickets www.ticketek.com.au
APRIL 5 – TASMANIA, Launceston Silverdome
Tickets: www.silverdome.com.au
Paul Simon Australian Tour 2013 Dates & Tickets
Sun March 24th – Perth – West Coast Blues & Roots Festival Tickets: www.moshtix.com.au
Wed March 27th – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide – Tickets through www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849
Thu March 28th – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – Tickets through www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849
Sat. March 30th – Hope Estate, Hunter Valley – www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
Mon April 1st – Byron Bay – Bluesfest 2013 Tickets: www.bluesfest.com.au
Tue. April 2nd – Entertainment Centre, Sydney – www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
Bluesfest 2013 Tickets & Dates
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay
Thursday March 28th – Monday April 1st, 2013
Tickets: www.bluesfest.com.au
ph: 02 6685 8310
For more scheduling details head to: bluesfest.com.au
Download the program app here
