Deal lines up big acts for Taranaki

FELICITY ROSS

Taranaki is set to have several international A-list artists perform at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands over the next three years.

The New Plymouth District Council has an agreement with promoter Andrew McManus, who brought Fleetwood Mac in December 2009, to have six events featuring A-list artists between now and the end of 2013.

The council's customer services manager, Cathy Thurston, said the team was keen to bring a good variety of performers to Taranaki.

"We will try and determine who will be the best acts and make it a success," she said.

While Ms Thurston would not be drawn on which artists could perform in New Plymouth, there are several options for summer 2011.

One potential artist is American country singer Taylor Swift who announced she would perform in New Zealand at the end of the year as part of her world wide tour.

Other possible performers are R.E.M, Coldplay and Radiohead, who are all set to release albums this year.

Mr McManus has signed on with the council following the success of the two Fleetwood Mac shows.

Each concert will be exclusive to Taranaki, with the solo artist or band playing no other North Island shows while in New Zealand.

The agreement also enables the council to reject any event proposed by the promoter but allows it to work with other promoters on Bowl events.

Andrew McManus Presents promotes artists such as ZZ Top, Chris Isaak, Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Jethro Tull, Kelly Clarkson, Snoop Dog, Korn and Guns N Roses.

The promoter was also behind last year's ill-fated Whitney Houston concert.

The R&B Diva was scheduled to perform at the Bowl on March 6, but a mere two weeks after tickets went on sale, the show was cancelled.

Mr McManus blamed a dispute with the venue's operator, the New Plymouth District Council, and told the Taranaki Daily News his company's barristers were drawing up legal papers against the council.

But Ms Thurston said the matter had been resolved and the council was looking forward to working with Mr McManus again.

She said no legal action was taken.

New Plymouth mayor Harry Duynhoven said the agreement ensured a good supply of major international acts for the Bowl.

"The major events industry can be a fickle environment so it is especially pleasing to have secured these events for the next three years," he said.

"Naturally we'll be aiming to secure future major acts to ensure that our community and concert-goers across New Zealand have an ample supply of fantastic events."

- © Fairfax NZ News