EXCLUSIVE: The Rolling Stones are being headhunted by the State Government to perform at Adelaide Oval next year as the first live music event hosted at the new $500 million stadium.

If signed, the concert would be one of the largest yet held in Adelaide with up to 70,000 set to pack the new venue and would be the first time the Stones have played Adelaide in nearly 20 years.

Top-level sources have told The Advertiser two of Australia's biggest concert promoters are in talks to bring arguably the greatest rock and roll band in the world back to Australia for a string of stadium shows and an Adelaide Oval curtain-raiser, believed to be next year.

When asked, Premier Jay Weatherill pointedly did not it rule out.

"There is a lot of speculation about the opening of Adelaide Oval but at this stage it is just speculation," he said.

The deal is likely to be one of the biggest in recent history and fans will be paying out some of the most expensive ticket prices yet seen in Australia.

VIP standing tickets to the band's Hyde Park shows earlier this year went for more than $560 and $165 to stand up the back.

A VIP 'Hospitality' ticket set back UK fans more than $1600.

Industry sources have told The Advertiser the Government would be paying a premium of "at least several million dollars" on top of the retail ticket prices to attract the band for a "one-off appearance" in Adelaide, a market the band has previously skipped.

If Michael Gudinski's Frontier Touring - one of the frontrunners to host the tour - are successful in its bid, next year could be one of the biggest years in live rock music.

Gudinski would be negotiating to bring The Rolling Stones and Foo Fighters to our stadiums along with Bruce Springsteen, who has already announced two Adelaide Entertainment Centre shows in February .

When contacted by The Advertiser about The Rolling Stones proposed visit to Adelaide Oval next year, a Frontier Touring spokeswoman said they have "no comment on this".

Adelaide Oval were also tight lipped on the tour rumours.

"The SMA will not comment on speculation," a spokeswoman said.

The Oval has been sold to taxpayers as a multipurpose ground specifically designed to host an array of events including international concerts.

The Oval is the centrepiece of the State Government's much-hyped riverbank development, which it hopes will woo voters at the coming March election.

The first major sporting event at the ground will be The Ashes in December before AFL arrives at the ground in late March , after voters have gone to the polls.

A major entertainment announcement for the oval prior to election day would be a feather in Labor's cap to justify the $535 million spent on the precinct, a key part of the Government's vibrant city agenda.

The band performed its last shows in July of this year at Hyde Park, a two-hour-plus show that included 19 of the band's biggest hits including an encore of You Can't Always Get What You Want with a youth choir and Satisfaction.

The tour would most likely take place late next year with the band's fan forums speculating a European tour next year from May with up to 14 concerts.

The concert would be ideal for Stones frontman Mick Jagger who is a passionate cricket supporter, giving the infamous frontman the chance to see what is regarded as one of the finest grounds in the world.

The band have previously performed in Adelaide at Centennial Hall in 1965, Memorial Drive in 1973 and Football Park in 1995.


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/the-rolling-stones-tipped-to-play-firs...

I have heard rumours that this will be the Stones farewell concert.

I've heard rumours that Brian Jones, Billy Preston, and Nicky Hopkins might guest on a few songs.

'being headhunted' isnt the same as 'tipped to play'

They didnt have a stadium stage for any of their shows this year.

It'd be quite a departure if they now choose to get one designed for an Aussie tour as its a limited market. They'd also need to be checking out new stage architects as Mark Fisher died three months ago.

A 70,000 seater venue at those prices in a city of 1.2 million  in a state which has only 1.6 million? Thats a  big ask.  Expect major tarpage if that one comes to fruition.

How will you cope, mate without a 25,000 mile round trip a couple of times a year!

Well we have heard that they may do a small tour there so maybe this will happen. Why not, too expensive?  IF that happens and the tickets dont sell for the high prices than they will just have to do the same thing there that they did in the US ~ offer $85 mystery seats to fill up the venues.

Some Guy wrote on Oct 2^nd, 2013 at 6:47am:


I'm slotted to be in my farewell post...

They don't have to have a special stadium stage for us. Just gaffer tape some tarp together. They did that for ABB when they came here. We got the Rio stage.