Taxpayer funding will support a series of surprise performances by musicians, including iconic Australian rock artist Jimmy Barnes, to rejuvenate Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) following years of extensive infrastructure work and public protests. The initiative kicked off on Sunday, when Barnes joined fellow artists Kate Ceberano and Ian Moss for an unexpected free concert in City Square, which has remained closed to the public for eight years due to the Metro Tunnel construction.
This concert marked the first time City Square was accessible since the commencement of major construction. Barnes energized the crowd with his classic hit “Working Class Man,” aiming to restore confidence among Melbourne residents and visitors alike. The series of pop-up gigs is set to continue through December 2023 and January 2024, with attendees receiving only a few hours’ notice prior to each performance.
Victorian Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos announced that the costs associated with the concerts will not be disclosed, citing commercial confidentiality. The City Square is scheduled to permanently reopen on November 30, 2023, coinciding with the launch of the new rail line and the entrance to the Town Hall station and retail complex.
During a press briefing, Dimopoulos clarified that the concerts were not intended to publicize government projects, despite the timing aligning closely with the tunnel’s opening. He emphasized the aim of these performances to inject an element of excitement and surprise back into Melbourne’s weekend atmosphere. The concerts may take place in various locations throughout the city, including laneways and outside restaurants, enhancing the sense of discovery for attendees.
The initiative follows discussions with local hotel and restaurant businesses, which have expressed concerns about the impact of ongoing protests in the CBD on tourism and patronage. Wes Lambert, chief executive of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, acknowledged the pop-up concerts as a positive development but described them as akin to “band-aids on a bullet wound.” He noted that the ongoing challenges of street crime and protests have severely impacted the hospitality sector, saying, “A few events won’t undo that.”
City Square is designed to be a vibrant public space featuring artwork and a digital wall sculpture, replacing a previously popular water wall. This concert series comes on the heels of a recent event cancellation at nearby Federation Square, where a performance by Amyl and the Sniffers was called off due to safety concerns. For Sunday’s performance, attendance was limited to 1,500 people, underscoring ongoing safety considerations in the area.
As Melbourne seeks to recover its vibrancy, the response to these surprise gigs will likely be closely monitored by local businesses and city officials alike, as they navigate the balance between entertainment and public safety in the months ahead.
