Western Australia is seeking to capitalise on Coldplay's "Music of the Spheres" tour, announcing it as the biggest event in Perth's recent history. The government is looking to lure rock band fans to the state to spend on services such as transportation, accommodation, food and drink, holidays and tourism. The first concert sold out so quickly, a second was added, and over 10% of the tickets were purchased from fans outside of Western Australia. While smaller events have failed to deliver on expectations, the government is investing millions to pull in people from other states and locals alike, to deliver a unique concert experience. Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said the government's "focus is now on bigger events, which can happen because we now have the Perth Arena and Optus Stadium. And this is absolutely the correct strategy. The government, through Tourism WA, also invests in smaller events, but they just don’t have the punch." Tourism is already a A$14bn ($10bn) a year business, and the government wants to double that in the next 10 years.
Perth’s south-eastern suburbs will face an 18-month train shutdown starting in November to allow for the Armadale train line to be elevated and extended. The line will be closed between Cannington and Armadale. In a bid to keep commuters out of their cars, the state of Western Australia will introduce a 100-strong "super bus" network as a replacement. The rail replacement buses will have priority at traffic lights through major intersections for the 1.2-kilometre stretch of bus priority lanes that will be built through Victoria Park. The cost of the project is estimated at $2bn.
The Foo Fighters have introduced Josh Freese as their new drummer ahead of their first tour since the death of Taylor Hawkins. Freese, 50, has performed with Weezer, Nine Inch Nails and Sting among others, and was introduced in a streamed rehearsal featuring several guest drummers, including Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tommy Lee from Mötley Crüe, and Danny Carey from Tool. Hawkins joined the Foo Fighters for their 1999 album There Is Nothing Left to Lose and played on the group’s next seven albums before his death last year, which took place in Colombia.
Ed Sheeran gifted Middleton High School’s band class in Florida with music equipment and concert tickets as he stopped by to play some of his tracks. During his surprise appearance, Sheeran also gave away a number of guitars to students as well as to the music department. He began the visit by listening to the band’s rendition of his latest song before performing an acoustic version of his hit single “Perfect”. The surprise visit was filmed and later posted on Instagram.
