2023 in review

What a year! The holiday season has got us reflecting on the 523 shows across 111 incredible tours we’ve seen come through in 2023. We asked some of our team to share a few of the 100s of highlights from this year – a huge thank you to everyone who joined us at a show!

Paramore - November

“Besides them being my fave band since I was 13, we were able to help deliver their biggest headline show EVER. Such a special show with incredible vocals, sweet grooves, and passionate fans.” - Samantha Hughes, Marketing Manager??

“I echo Sam with Paramore! Their biggest NZ show to date, awesome energy and in general their crowd engagement was such a stand out. Teddy Swims was another one - so cool to see his growth from the Powerstation last year to Auckland's Town Hall this year - the venue couldn't have been more fitting for him. The NZ crowd showed up! Also, Luke Combs was incredible. There is something really special and fun about the country audience and the reaction this show received across NZ was next level.” - Sam McQuade, Marketing & Ticketing Team Leader NZ??

“We had so many incredible tours this year, but I'd have to pick Paramore - a band I've loved since my teens, so it was incredible to work on this tour and witness them have their biggest headline show EVER with fans old and new - it was just so special.” - Hazel Reid, Digital Coordinator??

“I am going to say Paramore because it was the only show I went to twice in the whole year. That's really the only measurement I can use to separate all my options!! Fatboy Slim was my very close second.” - Olivia Micallef, Marketing Coordinator

Ed Sheeran - January/February/March

“Ed Sheeran at the Wellington Opera House, to see such a massive artist play an intimate show was amazing.” - Lisa Stokes, Ticketing & Marketing Director NZ?

“Ed at the MCG on Michael's anniversary (all of the feels) or Ed in Perth (because of my fam connection to Perth) or J Balvin with the party vibes or Foo's Melb seeing my brother moshing to his fave band.” - Aisling Charlesworth, Production Coordinator?

“So many to choose from, but mine would have to be Ed Melbourne. What a career highlight to work on such a massive record breaking tour, that was years in the making and so close to MG’s heart and with the MCG show on his anniversary. A very close second would be Fatboy Slim, best night!” - Danielle Jane, Marketing Manager

Paul McCartney - October/November

“Paul McCartney on the Gold Coast was my fave gig this year!” - Haley Conrad, Tour Operations Coordinator?

“Paul and Foos and Robbie all such highlights... a very tough call between Paul and Foos... I think I have to go with Paul because of the extra layers of history and nostalgia... Gold Coast being the winner with The Beatles final song being released two days before. All the emotions!!” - Rachel Webb, Marketing Director

“Paul McCartney at AEC and Ed Sheeran breaking records at the MCG on MG’s anniversary” - Reegan Stark, Chief Marketing + Communications Officer

G Flip - August/September

“I think I have to go for G Flip at the Forum, such an amazing show and so special to be in a room full of so much love (but also Now & Forever was such an amazing day and I mean if I can be really annoying Maisie Peters was sooooo fun seeing one of my top artists be embraced by Aus)” - Emma Benfold, Digital Coordinator

Charli XCX - February/March

"Charli XCX @ The Tivoli followed very close behind Florence + The Machine Dance Fever tour, Sam Smith GLORIA the tour, Eric Prydz HOLO and Jimmy Rees Not That Kinda Viral Tour!” - Andy Purcell, Communications Director?

Sam Smith - October/November

“I'll have to go with Sam Smith because what an incredible voice?-?they definitely know how to put on a show! or Eric Prydz for the visuals and vibes” - Emily Nguyen, Digital Advertising Assistant

Foo Fighters - November/December

“Mine would have to be Foo Fighters! Very full circle moment for me with their 2011 Melbourne show at AAMI being the first concert I attended. Getting to work on and then be at both AAMI shows was a bit of a dream! Incredibly close second is the love of my life Julia Jacklin who was also my Spotify #1 artist. The dreamiest voice live.” - Holly Robertson, Digital Coordinator

Eric Prydz - December

“Eric Prydz for exactly what Em said, vibes on vibes with crazy visuals!” - Vinnie Van Dyk, Senior Financial Accountant

Marlon Williams - February

“Marlon Williams for the voice, the warmth in the room and the mesmerising dancing. Swoon.” - Sarah Dileo, Digital Director?

“Marlon Williams for the voice, alt-J for playing a great album in full, and Eric Prydz for the epic visuals and pristine sound.” - Eloise Glanville, Marketing + Communications Operations Director?

“So many choices... Julia Jacklin was a whimsical goddess, Todd Terje was such a fun & funky night BUT Marlon Williams was my star of the year. It was my first time at Enmore Theatre, and I just love the way he engages with the crowd... he makes you feel like you're at an intimate dinner party drinking red wine around the fire while he dances around and serenades you.” - Lindsey Kruger, Avails Coordinator?

Fatboy Slim - April/May

Fatboy Slim for me - one of my favourite nights out of 2023! The first Ed show at the MCG was incredibly special in so many ways, and for which I feel so lucky to have been a part of. Therefore, I have 2 faves.” - Debbie Beck, Executive Assistant to the CEO

CMC Rocks QLD - March

“Morgan Wallen at CMC Headline because it redefined what the Festival can be and how broad the genre's appeal is!” - Andrew Spencer, Chief Commercial Officer

Foy Vance - November

“Foy Vance at the Metro, Sydney. Voice, songs, audience engagement/participation, humour, accent, survivor. Also, Paul McCartney at Allianz - legend.” - Suzi Dhnaram, Immigration Coordinator??

“Ed goes without saying, but the surprise for me was Foy Vance - The Croxton Bandroom, amazing voice and banter!” - Stacy Neeson, Financial Controller

City and Colour - February

“I think I have to go with City and Colour. I've seen them before, but their Enmore show at the start of the year just blew me right away.” - Nicole Stringer, Communications Director

Hot Milk - December

“Ooh hardest decision but has to be Hot Milk at Mary's Underground. Such a fun, intimate, high energy show.” - Belinda Antonuccio, Ticketing Operations Manager?

“Ooooooh very close between Paramore & Hot Milk - But definitely Hot Milk - the energy in that venue was INCREDIBLE.” - Jillyan Bairstow, Ticketing Operations Coordinator?

MUNA - March

“MUNA playing their first headline AUS show at the Metro Theatre in the middle of Sydney World Pride was a moment of pure, queer joy!!” - Jack Street, Senior Solicitor

Kip Moore - March

“Kip Moore & Randy Houser at Hordern Pav” - Brad Jardine, Marketing Manager

Beck - April

“Mine was maybe a draw between Beck at Palais in St Kilda (who knew he'd be so funny, while the music was superb) or Paul McCartney tour in Adelaide, with 'small' audience of 8,000. Or Newcastle, where the pyros went manic!” - Samantha Clode, Communications Director