2024 set to be ICC Sydney’s biggest year for entertainment

The growth in live concerts and consumer exhibitions are seeing ICC Sydney experiencing its biggest year ever for entertainment, expanding beyond the venue having hosted more than 80 live entertainment events in the last financial year, and over 50 exhibitions.

The boom is being attributed to pent-up demand, with tours that were postponed during the pandemic drawing large crowds, with more than 350,000 people attending performances at the precinct's ICC Sydney Theatre (previously the Aware Super Theatre) and Darling Harbour Theatre throughout the year.

ICC Sydney boosted the local economy through trade and consumer exhibitions, with 390,000 visitors attending 54 events. Among these events, consumer exhibitions were particularly popular, recording some of their biggest numbers since ICC Sydney opened in 2016.

The Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition was the largest in the event’s history, with the international trade show welcoming 27,000 attendees. Business connections sparked on the exhibition floor help drive trade, investment and innovation.

As ICC Sydney director of Event Services, Malu Barrios explains “it is exciting to see the impact of live entertainment events bringing people together to enjoy unique experiences that also provide substantial social and economic benefits, rejuvenating our city as we welcome thousands of patrons to our venue.

“ICC Sydney’s customer-centric approach is aligned in championing the power of entertainment to promote connection at shared extraordinary experiences, and we look forward to supporting Sydney’s continued entertainment boom.”

Sydney was also the first city to host a South by Southwest (SXSW) cultural event outside of Austin, Texas, USA in 2023, with ICC Sydney acting as the anchor venue. SXSW Sydney, which brought together people from the industries of technology and innovation, games music and film, featured more than 1,200 events and sessions.

Speakers included Academy Award-winning Australian actress Nicole Kidman, Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper and filmmaker and director Baz Luhrmann.

Noting that ICC Sydney’s approach to sustainability and inclusivity was a major factor when it came to choosing it as an anchor venue, SXSW Sydney Managing Director, Colin Daniels stated “whether it be the Tech and Innovation Expo with more than 100 exhibitors to more than 400 conference sessions including celebrities, CEOs and thought leaders from around the world - from planning to execution, the ICC Sydney team made SXSW Sydney a lot easier.

“Year one for SXSW Sydney was a success and we’re looking forward to planning 2024 and beyond with ICC Sydney.”

ICC Sydney also hosted Talent Development Project Foundation’s graduation concert, which showcases the talents of high school students in years 10, 11 and 12.

Images: Fans at the ICC Sydney Theatre (top) and SXSW 2023 (below). Credit: ICC Sydney/Aaron Leslie.