The determined Ulverstone local who has been campaigning for Tones and I to perform in his town said he was “over the moon” to see the Australian pop star lock in her concert date.
Tones and I will perform in Ulverstone on May 2, with the singer announcing the concert date on social media, telling her 611,000 Facebook followers she would fly back from London specifically for the show.
19-year-old Jyron Flannery launched his grassroots campaign “Tones And I Come To Ulverstone” in January, responding to the singer’s challenge for regional communities to drum up support for affordable concerts.
Flannery spotted the announcement on Facebook during Easter dinner at his mum’s house.
He said it was a special feeling to see it all coming together.
“It means I pulled it off with everyone’s help, and people actually believed in what I believed in this time,” he told Pulse.
“It was a waiting game for me just as well as everyone else.”
“I knew no special updates. I had no special treatment, nothing like that.”
Central Coast mayor Cheryl Fuller said the council would be meeting today to discuss venues for the show.
“Our people and her people have been on holidays for a few days with Easter so we will be discussing it tomorrow [Wednesday],” she told Pulse.
“Hopefully we can come up with the suitable venue but it’s all very exciting,”
Flannery, who works as a bartender while saving for his own food van business, said he’s already taken time off work for that weekend.
He said it was shaping up as a weekend to remember for him and his community.
“I definitely want to meet her,” he said.
“I definitely want to have a celebration. It’ll be a really big celebration, I reckon.”
The campaign gained momentum when local businesses and community members rallied behind Flannery’s efforts over the past two months.
Tickets will go on sale Thursday at 10am, though the venue location hasn’t been confirmed publicly.
The singer hinted at more shows during her visit, posting she would “go through comments and do more shows because obviously I can’t say no to you all”.
Local accommodation is already getting behind the event, with the Apex Beachside Holiday Park West Ulverstone offering an exclusive $40-per-night deal for concert-goers from May 1-3 if they mention they are there for the concert when they book.
Flannery hopes the concert will put Ulverstone on the map.
“I can’t wait to see what Ulverstone holds in the future,” he said.
