After a mass of cancellations due to the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, the Under the Southern Stars concert series is back on and will be the first post-COVID international concert to be staged in Australia. Riverstage in Brisbane City will be ready to host a few Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famers for a night of fantastic entertainment.
Bush, Stone Temple Pilots and Cheap Trick, alongside Australian acts like Rose Tattoo and Electric May, will perform at the Riverstage on Sunday, 16 May 2021. It will be the final stop for Under the Southern Stars in this region, after South Australia, NSW, Caloundra (14 May) and Southport Sharks (15 May).
According to the promoter Andrew McManus, all existing tickets are still valid whilst new tickets are up on sale at the official site.
Originally set for April 2020, Under the Southern Stars was supposed to feature the group Live but they could no longer commit to the reschedule. Mr McManus then reached out to Cheap Trick, who signed on within 48 hours of deliberation. The Chicago band immediately tweeted that they are joining the concert tour.
First chance to rock this year! Can’t wait to see our fans in Australia. Special thanks to the Australian government for creating the conditions for a safe festival at @utssconcerts
— Cheap Trick (@cheaptrick) February 3, 2021
with @STPBand
& @BUSH
. Tickets: https://t.co/eoibvR4Ims pic.twitter.com/wUIAJZEDxD
Under the new normal, all of the performers will undergo a quarantine process and comply with the directives of Queensland Health.
Mr McManus said he is grateful to receive the very first approval to proceed with the international tour from the Commissioner of Border Patrol and support from the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, the Premier of South Australia, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne and New South Wales Minister for Environment. The concerts in Queensland will also open 200 jobs for COVID marshalls.
Aware of the great responsibility, the promoter said that he will prepare a “template for international touring” to benefit the music industry.
“Being the first live on stage international tour, we are aware the eyes of the world will be on us championing the re-opening of live international touring not only in Australia but globally,” Mr McManus said in a statement.