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Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Diehards flying in from the US and Britain, on what is likely Fleetwood Mac's final concerts ever
Taranaki Daily News
December's two Fleetwood Mac concerts will bring a $7.5 million bonanza to the Taranaki economy.
The figure comes from a recently-published forecast from Venture Taranaki, which says more than 36,000 fans are expected pass through the gates of the TSB Bowl of Brooklands within a 24-hour period – with more than 25,000 of them from out of the region.
Among those fans will be diehards flying in from the United States and Britain, intent on attending what is likely to be Fleetwood Mac's final concerts ever.
The New Plymouth District Council and VT are forecasting that these visitors will contribute the $7.5 million to the local economy.
This means each visitor will spend roughly $300 each during his or her time here.
The same forecast looks at the value of three rugby World Cup games in New Plymouth in 2011 and estimates those games will bring $5.2 million in visitor money to the economy.
The council's manager of business events Garry Sharpe-Young says the sheer magnitude of the concerts and their guests have prompted several local agencies to form a steering committee to manage the large amount of out-of-towners to the region.
Agencies include the council, VT, Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and the police.
"We have discovered many of the people coming in have never been to New Plymouth before and we want to encourage them to see more of it than just go to the concert and leave," Mr Sharpe-Young said.
"We are also encouraging businesses to stay open during that weekend because the economic impact is just huge. It will be $7.5m plus."
At the REM concert at the Bowl in 2005 Easter licensing laws ruined the party for thousands of fans who hit downtown New Plymouth after the band's concert. Strict liquor licensing laws forced bars to close early, with many bar owners feeling they missed out on the fun.
But this time around, with more than twice the crowd likely to hit the town after Fleetwood Mac, local business owners are being encouraged to stay open to cater to the masses.
About 100 people are coming from the US and the United Kingdom, many of them have been following the international group's world tour, which is said to be its last.
"It's a huge opportunity for us to alter people's perception of New Plymouth in a positive way," Mr Sharpe-Young said.
"You could definitively say this is the biggest concert to hit New Plymouth in the last 40 years."
Tickets for Fleetwood Mac's concert on December 19 sold out within minutes when they went on sale last month.
The second concert for December 20 is almost sold out, with only general admission tickets available.
In order to cope with the region's extra guests, volunteer co-ordinator for the steering committee, Moira Irving, says organisers need about 200 volunteers to help with various tasks around the city.
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"We want volunteers on the walkway and greeting people at the airport, we want them at the park, we just want people to feel sort of overwhelmed at the amazing weekend," Ms Irving said.
"We will have people handing out information and showing them what restaurants will be open, places they might want to go and visit through and make sure it's a whole Taranaki visit, it's not rushing into the concert and then shooting through."
Anyone wanting to become a volunteer should contact Ms Irving at the New Plymouth District Council.
But the region better get used to being overrun by out-of-towners as Mr Sharpe-Young says he intends to bring in a major international act every year.
"There are a few possibilities for early 2010 and more for 2011 and 2012.
"We want to bring in another contemporary act like we did with Jack Johnson."
WHERE THE FANS ARE FROM
Auckland: 7000
Wellington: 8000
Waikato: 2500
Manawatu: 2000
Bay of Plenty: 2000
South Island: 2000
West Coast: 32
Taranaki: 10,000
American and UK: 100
FLEETWOOD MAC HAVE AN OPENING ACT FOR SELECT AUSTRALIAN DATES
Herald Sun
KILLING Heidi siblings Ella and Jesse Hooper are set for a comeback to the charts.
The hit-making pair's new band, the Verses, has just signed with Warner Music.
The deal has also helped the band secure the coveted slot supporting Fleetwood Mac on its December tour of Australia.
Unlike Killing Heidi, the Verses have a country-tinged southern rock sound.
Aside from Ella's occasional appearances on Spicks and Specks, the Hoopers have kept a low profile since the end of Killing Heidi, to concentrate on their songwriting.
Now 26, Ella was 17 when Killing Heidi topped the charts in 2000, becoming the hottest band in the land.
The Verses have built a loyal following through residencies at the Toff in Town in Melbourne.
"We're country kids - we like things to go at a nice, slow pace - and we gave ourselves time: time to write, time to get inspired, time to try different things musically," Ella said.
"We were taking a holiday from the three-minute pop song, although funnily enough we've found ourselves coming back to that."
The first taste of the Verses will come with an EP released next month.
Curious listeners can download their new single Forever More free from theverses.com.au as of Monday.
The band will support Fleetwood Mac at Rod Laver Arena on December 1 and 2.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
LINKS TO PHOTOS OF FLEETWOOD MAC IN GERMANY
Fleetwood Mac - Oberhausen, Germany 12.10.09
Facebook Photos by: Stephanie Eshuis(link)
Fleetwood Mac - Oberhausen, Germany 12.10.09
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