The Foo Fighters have sold out their one-night-only Launceston concert in record time, with 24,000 fans snapping up tickets for what promoters are calling the “hottest show of the summer”.
The American rock legends will hit the stage at UTAS Stadium on Saturday, January 24, marking their first performance in Tasmania since 2015 and their first ever in Launceston.
Promoter Frontier Touring says the sold-out show is expected to draw the biggest influx of concertgoers Tasmania has ever seen.
The concert was secured with $650,000 in funding – $500,000 from the state government and the rest from Launceston City Council.
Frontman Dave Grohl said the band locked in the Tasmanian date during a casual planning session.
“We looked at the calendar and thought, ‘Let’s pop down for a gig’,” he said.
“We’ve been doing these sneaky surprise shows here in the [United] States, having so much fun.”
Grohl said the band would spend just 48 hours in the state to deliver a three-hour set.
“I’ve always loved Australia so much, we’ve been coming down a long time and it’s always felt like home,” he said.
Two rising Australian acts – Brisbane’s Full Flower Moon Band and Launceston trio Spooky Eyes – will open the show.
Hotels across Launceston are already fully booked, with visitors expected to travel from across the country.
Stadiums Tasmania is predicting an 11-to-1 return on investment, while the Launceston Chamber of Commerce estimates the region could gain more than $7.5 million.
The Foo Fighters have sold more than 1.8 million records in Australia and scored nine number-one albums – more than in any other territory.
