AC/DC sets new Aussie box office record with Power Up shows
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Buying tickets to the hottest concerts and sporting events in Australia is an anxiety-spiking online hell.
Yet we keep lining up in those virtual queues, often for hours, to secure the prize, with AC/DC fans breaking Ticketek's record for a music tour's first day sale last week.
Fans who made it out of the 'lounge' to the checkout snapped up 320,000 tickets to the band's Power Up concerts in November and December.
That first day of sales last Thursday eclipsed the band's previous record of 240,000 tickets for the Black Ice tour in 2009, which was the previous biggest concert on-sale day in Ticketek's history.
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The huge demand to welcome AC/DC back to Australia's stadiums after a decade's absence was funnelled into the general sale as the egalitarian rockers are old school and don't do ticket pre-sales, preferring everyone gets an equal shot.
Most stadium-sized tours – think box office slayers Ed Sheeran, P!nk and Taylor Swift – offer promoter, credit card and telco-affiliated pre-sales over multiple days before the general sale.
Or the artists add extra shows that go on sale at a later date.
As the AC/DC shows went on sale – at staggered times for each city's gig to spread the online traffic across the day – 'second and final' concerts were added to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and immediately available to purchase.
AC/DC set a first day sales box office record last week. Picture: Christie Goodwin.
There are still seats available on Ticketek to the upper bays from $203 and some premium tickets for more than $400 to see the hard rock heroes, three days after the box office launch.
And unlike the recent flood of complaints about virtual queues of more than 200,000 for the Ashes tickets sale, the AC/DC fans mostly hit social media to confirm they had been successful – or share their position in the queue, the new social media trend for ticket sales.
'It was an absolute nightmare getting tickets during the Ashes pre-sale, but I had no issues with AC/DC today,' one fan posted.
But it was an infuriating experience for a raft of hopeful ticket buyers who made it through only to be booted to the back of queue when they pressed the pay button.
'Selected tickets for AC/DC, hit pay, got punted back to the lounge behind 50,000 other people. F...ing ridiculous,' an irate fan wrote.
Ed Sheeran holds the record for the most tickets sold on an Australian tour. Picture: Jake Nowakowski
There was also a recurring problem for some exasperated fans who protested they got to the front of the queue to be rudely greeted with a 'restricted access' message and booted back to square one.
'Beyond frustrated, waiting for an hour to get to the front of the queue and be told my access is restricted & now 60k in the queue, I frequently purchase AFL tix with no issue, this service has to be looked into,' wrote a disappointed fan on X.
Ticketek advised fans ahead of the AC/DC sale to disable VPNs or IP-masking tools as 'your unique IP helps us confirm you're a real person, not a bot.'
Honorary Aussie P!nk is the highest selling female touring artist here. Picture: Tom Parrish
Other tips include turning off any browser extensions and to access sales from a single browser on one device only to reduce the risk of triggering bot detection and being booted to the back of the queue.
While Ed Sheeran, P!nk and Taylor Swift have moved more tickets on their tours of Australia over the past two years, rolled out over pre-sales and a general public sale, AC/DC was the biggest first-day seller for Ticketek.
This past summer saw the highest live event sales in nearly a decade, with two million Australians buying tickets.
The box office agency achieved another record last Thursday with over 370,000 tickets moved in a single day, setting a new all-time high for daily sales and surpassing the previous record set during The Ashes on-sale earlier this month.
In addition to the AC/DC tickets, Ticketek traded almost 50,000 tickets to other events including NRL and AFL matches.
Originally published as AC/DC's Power Up tour sets new concert box office record for first-day sales
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"We very much look forward to seeing these works enjoying a new life in Newcastle Art Gallery." The works from the Mordants' collection will feature in a special exhibition next year and be housed among one of the most valuable public art collections in the country outside a capital city. A recent valuation put Newcastle's collection at a staggering $145 million, an increase of $19 million, or about 15 per cent, since key works were last reviewed in 2022. Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation chair Suzie Galwey said the valuation confirms what those in the local scene have long known, that the city has an "outstanding" collection that deserves to be on show. "For the community to be able to go in, access and engage with these incredible icons, they're Australian icons, some of these pieces, is just really going to be something for the community to be so proud of," she said. "I think it will boost visitation, the community will have the opportunity to embrace the gallery and just realise what a significant milestone this is for the arts in Newcastle. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime project." The donation, combined with the long-awaited expansion of the gallery, marks a turning point for the institution, which has only been able to display about one per cent of its collection each year due to space constraints. Once complete, iconic works by artists like Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, William Dobell and Joseph Lycett will be permanently on show, alongside a First Nations collection which has skyrocketed in value, up nearly 80 per cent, and works by female artists which have increased in value across the board. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said the upgraded gallery will be a fitting home for one of the council's most valuable assets. "This is one of the most significant and highly valuable public collections of art outside of a state or national institution," he said. "The expansion will enable the gallery to be fit for purpose to host our $145 million collection alongside touring exhibitions from across Australia and around the world, creating a significant cultural tourism opportunity for Newcastle and the Hunter," he said. The more than $50 million rebuild will deliver an extra 1,600 square metres of space, more than doubling what was previously on offer. A new cafe and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational spaces and a secure international standard loading dock are included in the project. Construction of the building's shell is set to be completed in the second quarter of 2025, with the aim of reopening the doors this year in time for the New Annual festival at the end of September. Gallery director Lauretta Morton said she was honoured to accept the Mordants' donation and looked forward to showing it in a special exhibition next year. "Having known Simon for several years, I have always admired his and Catriona's incredible support for artists and the broader arts sector globally, so I was quite overwhelmed to be invited to review their collection and select works of art that represented the vision for our reimagined gallery, to be locally grounded, nationally engaged and globally minded," she said. "We're also proud of what this updated valuation tells us about the growing global celebration of so many significant First Nations artists, and the value and recognition for women artists, which have steadily increased during the past five years." The city's collection includes works of local, national and international importance. 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The expansion project has been made possible with $10 million in state and federal government funding and more than $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery foundation through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest and community fundraising efforts. Ms Galwey said the foundation is about $500,000 away from its $13 million goal. "The foundation has been advocating and fundraising for the expansion of the gallery for more than 20 years. We're still looking to get to our target of $13 million, and we're almost there," she said. "It would be wonderful for us to get to our target, so we're calling on the community to dig deep. "Every donation makes a huge difference, and it's just wonderful to be part of this incredible story for the arts in Newcastle." To make a donation, visit the foundation's website. IT'S the largest gift of artwork investment banker Simon Mordant and his theatre costume designer and art director wife Catriona have ever given to one institution, and it's set "tongues wagging" across Newcastle. The Mordants, who are among the country's leading arts philanthropists, have passed on 25 works from their private collection to Newcastle Art Gallery mere months before the new expansion opens to the public. The donation includes works on paper by Ngarrindjeri artist Ian Abdulla, a collage of digital print and oil by John Young and sculptures by Novocastrian artist Jamie North. Mr Mordant said Newcastle was an obvious choice. "Catriona and I believe that art should be seen and enjoyed by the widest possible audience," he said. "In considering Australian and international organisations to be recipients of part of our collection, built over almost 40 years, we looked for organisations where we believed in their leadership and their ambition. "We very much look forward to seeing these works enjoying a new life in Newcastle Art Gallery." The works from the Mordants' collection will feature in a special exhibition next year and be housed among one of the most valuable public art collections in the country outside a capital city. A recent valuation put Newcastle's collection at a staggering $145 million, an increase of $19 million, or about 15 per cent, since key works were last reviewed in 2022. Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation chair Suzie Galwey said the valuation confirms what those in the local scene have long known, that the city has an "outstanding" collection that deserves to be on show. "For the community to be able to go in, access and engage with these incredible icons, they're Australian icons, some of these pieces, is just really going to be something for the community to be so proud of," she said. "I think it will boost visitation, the community will have the opportunity to embrace the gallery and just realise what a significant milestone this is for the arts in Newcastle. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime project." The donation, combined with the long-awaited expansion of the gallery, marks a turning point for the institution, which has only been able to display about one per cent of its collection each year due to space constraints. Once complete, iconic works by artists like Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, William Dobell and Joseph Lycett will be permanently on show, alongside a First Nations collection which has skyrocketed in value, up nearly 80 per cent, and works by female artists which have increased in value across the board. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said the upgraded gallery will be a fitting home for one of the council's most valuable assets. "This is one of the most significant and highly valuable public collections of art outside of a state or national institution," he said. "The expansion will enable the gallery to be fit for purpose to host our $145 million collection alongside touring exhibitions from across Australia and around the world, creating a significant cultural tourism opportunity for Newcastle and the Hunter," he said. The more than $50 million rebuild will deliver an extra 1,600 square metres of space, more than doubling what was previously on offer. A new cafe and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational spaces and a secure international standard loading dock are included in the project. Construction of the building's shell is set to be completed in the second quarter of 2025, with the aim of reopening the doors this year in time for the New Annual festival at the end of September. Gallery director Lauretta Morton said she was honoured to accept the Mordants' donation and looked forward to showing it in a special exhibition next year. "Having known Simon for several years, I have always admired his and Catriona's incredible support for artists and the broader arts sector globally, so I was quite overwhelmed to be invited to review their collection and select works of art that represented the vision for our reimagined gallery, to be locally grounded, nationally engaged and globally minded," she said. "We're also proud of what this updated valuation tells us about the growing global celebration of so many significant First Nations artists, and the value and recognition for women artists, which have steadily increased during the past five years." The city's collection includes works of local, national and international importance. Newcastle independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the new valuation not only gives the city "bragging rights" but also demonstrates what an important and prestigious collection the gallery has. Cr Kerridge hopes the expansion will bring more visitors to Newcastle, but more importantly, that locals benefit, given their efforts to make the project happen with the help of generous benefactors over the years. "The recent donation from Simon and Catriona Mordant, that's really set tongues wagging," he said. "They recognise that this is an important gallery, they want their works to be seen, so it builds on success. "This builds on a whole sensibility about the city, it changes the profile of the city, changes the feel of the city and gets us noticed." The expansion project has been made possible with $10 million in state and federal government funding and more than $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery foundation through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest and community fundraising efforts. Ms Galwey said the foundation is about $500,000 away from its $13 million goal. "The foundation has been advocating and fundraising for the expansion of the gallery for more than 20 years. We're still looking to get to our target of $13 million, and we're almost there," she said. "It would be wonderful for us to get to our target, so we're calling on the community to dig deep. "Every donation makes a huge difference, and it's just wonderful to be part of this incredible story for the arts in Newcastle." To make a donation, visit the foundation's website. IT'S the largest gift of artwork investment banker Simon Mordant and his theatre costume designer and art director wife Catriona have ever given to one institution, and it's set "tongues wagging" across Newcastle. The Mordants, who are among the country's leading arts philanthropists, have passed on 25 works from their private collection to Newcastle Art Gallery mere months before the new expansion opens to the public. The donation includes works on paper by Ngarrindjeri artist Ian Abdulla, a collage of digital print and oil by John Young and sculptures by Novocastrian artist Jamie North. Mr Mordant said Newcastle was an obvious choice. "Catriona and I believe that art should be seen and enjoyed by the widest possible audience," he said. "In considering Australian and international organisations to be recipients of part of our collection, built over almost 40 years, we looked for organisations where we believed in their leadership and their ambition. "We very much look forward to seeing these works enjoying a new life in Newcastle Art Gallery." The works from the Mordants' collection will feature in a special exhibition next year and be housed among one of the most valuable public art collections in the country outside a capital city. A recent valuation put Newcastle's collection at a staggering $145 million, an increase of $19 million, or about 15 per cent, since key works were last reviewed in 2022. Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation chair Suzie Galwey said the valuation confirms what those in the local scene have long known, that the city has an "outstanding" collection that deserves to be on show. "For the community to be able to go in, access and engage with these incredible icons, they're Australian icons, some of these pieces, is just really going to be something for the community to be so proud of," she said. "I think it will boost visitation, the community will have the opportunity to embrace the gallery and just realise what a significant milestone this is for the arts in Newcastle. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime project." The donation, combined with the long-awaited expansion of the gallery, marks a turning point for the institution, which has only been able to display about one per cent of its collection each year due to space constraints. Once complete, iconic works by artists like Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, William Dobell and Joseph Lycett will be permanently on show, alongside a First Nations collection which has skyrocketed in value, up nearly 80 per cent, and works by female artists which have increased in value across the board. City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said the upgraded gallery will be a fitting home for one of the council's most valuable assets. "This is one of the most significant and highly valuable public collections of art outside of a state or national institution," he said. "The expansion will enable the gallery to be fit for purpose to host our $145 million collection alongside touring exhibitions from across Australia and around the world, creating a significant cultural tourism opportunity for Newcastle and the Hunter," he said. The more than $50 million rebuild will deliver an extra 1,600 square metres of space, more than doubling what was previously on offer. A new cafe and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational spaces and a secure international standard loading dock are included in the project. Construction of the building's shell is set to be completed in the second quarter of 2025, with the aim of reopening the doors this year in time for the New Annual festival at the end of September. Gallery director Lauretta Morton said she was honoured to accept the Mordants' donation and looked forward to showing it in a special exhibition next year. "Having known Simon for several years, I have always admired his and Catriona's incredible support for artists and the broader arts sector globally, so I was quite overwhelmed to be invited to review their collection and select works of art that represented the vision for our reimagined gallery, to be locally grounded, nationally engaged and globally minded," she said. "We're also proud of what this updated valuation tells us about the growing global celebration of so many significant First Nations artists, and the value and recognition for women artists, which have steadily increased during the past five years." The city's collection includes works of local, national and international importance. Newcastle independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge said the new valuation not only gives the city "bragging rights" but also demonstrates what an important and prestigious collection the gallery has. Cr Kerridge hopes the expansion will bring more visitors to Newcastle, but more importantly, that locals benefit, given their efforts to make the project happen with the help of generous benefactors over the years. "The recent donation from Simon and Catriona Mordant, that's really set tongues wagging," he said. "They recognise that this is an important gallery, they want their works to be seen, so it builds on success. "This builds on a whole sensibility about the city, it changes the profile of the city, changes the feel of the city and gets us noticed." The expansion project has been made possible with $10 million in state and federal government funding and more than $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery foundation through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest and community fundraising efforts. Ms Galwey said the foundation is about $500,000 away from its $13 million goal. "The foundation has been advocating and fundraising for the expansion of the gallery for more than 20 years. We're still looking to get to our target of $13 million, and we're almost there," she said. "It would be wonderful for us to get to our target, so we're calling on the community to dig deep. "Every donation makes a huge difference, and it's just wonderful to be part of this incredible story for the arts in Newcastle." To make a donation, visit the foundation's website.
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- Courier-Mail
‘Temu ACA': 10 News+ roasted by viewers
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News. Channel 10's replacement for The Project has been roasted by viewers during its debut episode on Monday. Despite Network 10 bagging an interview with the Prime Minister in a bid to win viewers over, it seems the new show has fallen flat with those watching at home. As it aired on Monday night, many took to X to share their views on The Project's replacement, and sadly for Network 10, most opinions appeared overwhelmingly negative, with some labelling 10 News+ a knockoff of rival network shows like A Current Affair. 'Anyone else bored so far? #10newsplus,' tweeted one viewer, with another agreeing: 'Same. Disappointing.' Television journalist Denham Hitchcock and his former Seven Network colleague Amelia Brace interviewed the Prime Minister on Monday. Picture: 10 'You replaced the project with a Temu ACA not seeing @theprojecttv is incredibly depressing. 10news+ sucks!' remarked a third viewer. Another complained about the format of the new show, tweeting: 'Please no more long investigation reports it's 6pm!' 'This is proper @Channel7 style commercial JUNK. It's like watching a cross between Fox News and Anchorman. Why the silly news voices!? questioned another disgruntled viewer. 'This is like ACA. Going to peoples houses to talk & them avoiding the cameras. Lots of nodding,' commented another viewer. One however, praised the show's lead story on convicted drug smuggler Debbie Voulgaris, who gave an exclusive interview from a Taiwan prison. 'Loving 10 news +, strong launch story. Is this the new Schapelle Corby story we all need to know about. 10 news should be very proud,' they wrote. The show's interview with the Prime Minister also sparked some viewer backlash, with journalists Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace being called out for their interviewing techniques, which saw the PM interrupted multiple times. Viewers complained that the hosts interrupted the PM during the brief interview. Picture: 10 'Some ridiculous questions and hectoring tone from both hosts in this very disappointing interview with the PM,' ranted one. 'You replaced #theprojecttv for this tabloid junk??I'm turning this off!' complained another. 'This is trash, so dry and bland. Time for the project 2.0 and a game show in a prime time slot up against Home and Away. Good luck!' tweeted a third unimpressed viewer. While a fourth added: Oh dear. I thought I would give 10 News Plus a go. I feel like we have regressed 20 years! An inauthentic painfully choreographed attempt at current affairs!' Meanwhile, it was an emotional final episode of The Project on Channel 10 on Friday after over 16 years on-screen with surprise appearances from Carrie Bickmore and Lisa Wilkinson. Regular hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton and Georgie Tunny bid farewell to viewers during an emotional final episode. 'I can't actually look at you all, I'm so sorry, because you've just been an absolute dream to work with,' said Tunny as she broke down. 'There can be a lot said about the media industry and it's cat fights and all of this, but this has been a family from the beginning and I know that you'll still in my life.' Originally published as 'Temu ACA': 10 News+ roasted by viewers
