American rock band Kings of Leon will play a gig in regional Victoria later this year, and Mildura locals hope the event can attract thousands to the state's north-west.
Up to 15,000 people will be able to see the Grammy Award-winning four-piece band at the Mildura Sporting Precinct on October 29, with tickets going on sale at 12pm on May 3.
Making the announcement in Mildura on Thursday, Minister for Major Events Martin Pakula said he expected a sellout show for the band's only gig in a regional city.
"We would expect people to be coming from all through the eastern part of South Australia, particularly given that [Kings of Leon] are not going to be playing a show in Adelaide," he said.
"Off the back of Foo Fighters in Geelong and indeed Katy Perry in Bright … we know how popular big global rock bands in regional Victoria can be."
Stadium logistics
It will be the first major event of its kind to be held at the new $44-million Mildura Sporting Precinct in south Mildura.
Mayor Liam Wood said while he "wasn't sure of the logistics", Kings of Leon would bring their own stage for the performance.
"We're talking about a band that has sold more than 20 million albums, so I think their stage will be a bit bigger than Nowingi Place [in Mildura]," he said.
"I think it would take up the training oval at the precinct and more. I imagine it will take up a massive amount of room.
"And what a fantastic backdrop with the vines near the stadium."
Cr Wood said he was also hopeful the event would speed up other works at the stadium, with stage two of the development including outdoor seating beginning soon.
"It takes these events sometimes to really push to get things organised and push things forward," he said.
'Fantastic' for region
Mildura Regional Development chief executive Brett Millington said he was certain the act would attract people from far and wide.
"There will be huge benefits to our region from outsiders coming in, attracting people that might not have otherwise considered Mildura as a destination," he said.
"As an example, a couple from Perth came [to Mildura's SummerSalt Festival in March] because they wanted to see Birds of Tokyo play by the river.
"It's a unique destination in that context and it can attract different people to our market."
Independent member for Mildura Ali Cupper compared the announcement to when Mildura hosted Triple J's One Night Stand in 2014.
"How amazing that was for our town — the atmosphere was incredible and we just looked so cool, the visitors we had walking through the streets, you could feel the buzz," she said.
"I can imagine a similar feel and look and bounce out of this."
