Despite ongoing recovery efforts following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, people have strongly disapproved of the decision to proceed with a New Order concert at Riverstage, an outdoor venue within Brisbane City.
The British band, New Order, planned to perform at the 9,500-capacity Riverstage. Promoters TEG Live confirmed the show would proceed, which prompted a wave of criticism from ticket holders. Many expressed concerns about the safety and practicality of attending the event given the extensive flood damage within the city.
Social media platforms became a hub for discontent, with numerous individuals highlighting the roads’ continued closure, public transport disruption, and ongoing clean-up operations within Brisbane City. Citizens questioned the appropriateness of holding a large-scale event while the city was still reeling from the effects of the severe weather. One person stated that the timing was insensitive, while another demanded that refunds be available to those unable to attend.
Even as rainfall eased, Brisbane City faced significant logistical hurdles. Over 100,000 homes and businesses remained without power, and public transport services experienced ongoing restrictions. Multiple roads in and around the city were still closed due to flooding. The public expressed frustration at the difficulty of reaching the venue, with many car parks inaccessible and public transport unreliable.
A TEG Live spokesperson affirmed that the concert would go ahead, attributing the decision to Brisbane City Council’s assessment that the Riverstage grounds were suitable. The council, however, redirected inquiries to TEG Live and Ticketek, the ticket provider. They did confirm that certain city car parks remained operational and directed the public to Translink for transport updates. The Translink website acknowledged ongoing disruptions and advised that real-time information may not be accurate. Ticketek provided a refund request portal.
Conversely, US pop-punk band Green Day cancelled their Gold Coast show before the cyclone and provided refunds. Canadian group Alexisonfire rescheduled their Riverstage performance to two indoor shows at Fortitude Music Hall.
The clean-up continued across south-east Queensland, with many properties still lacking power. Many displaced residents began returning to assess damage. Intermittent showers were forecast for Brisbane.
Published Date 12-March-2025
