A series of musicians – starting with Jimmy Barnes – have been called up to rock life back into a Victorian capital city after years of infrastructure works and protests.
The Khe Sanh singer joined forces with stars Kate Ceberano and Ian Moss on Sunday to perform a surprise free gig for Melburnians aimed at boosting CBD confidence.
The singer belted out hits including Working Class Man in City Square, the first time it’s been open to the public since Metro Tunnel construction work started there eight years ago.
It’s the first in a series planned across December and January, with crowds given just a few hours notice before each performance.
The total costs will not be made public as they are commercial-in-confidence, Victorian Major Events minister Steve Dimopoulos told reporters on Sunday.
City Square will permanently reopen on November 30 when the Metro Tunnel rail line commences, featuring the entrance to the new Town Hall station and retail complex.
Dimopoulos denied the shows were promoting state government projects.
“It wasn’t necessarily showcasing what we’ve done, although conveniently, we’ve got seven days to go,” the minister told reporters, referencing next week’s tunnel opening.
He said performances may be held anywhere in the city including laneways or outside restaurants with the aim of bringing an element of mystery into the city on weekends.
The concert series came about following consultation with hotel and restaurant businesses, with concerns previously raised about protests in the CBD potentially deterring visitors.
Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert said pop up concerts were welcome but the equivalent of “Band-Aids on a bullet wound” to confidence in the city.
“Months of rolling protests and rampant street crime have punched a massive hole in hospitality trade, and a few events won’t undo that,” Lambert said.
“If the State Government wants restaurants, cafés and bars to survive, it must restore safety, stability and consumer trust — concerts alone won’t keep our doors open.”
City Square’s public space above ground is intended to be used for events and features public artwork, with a digital wall sculpture replacing a previously beloved water wall.
The concert came just over a week after an Amyl and the Sniffers gig at nearby Federation Square was cancelled over safety fears, with capacity at Sunday’s performance limited to 1500 people.
