ICC Sydney Theatre launches with Keith Urban performance

A new era of live entertainment was born to Sydney last night, as ICC Sydney Theatre was launched to the public with a spectacular concert from country music star Keith Urban supported by former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood.

The special performance was part of Urban’s ripCORD World Tour Australia 2016 and took place at the state-of-the-art new venue to a packed house of 8,000 fans. The audience was able to enjoy stellar sound, lighting and visuals on display at ICC Sydney Theatre, and were brought closer to the performance than ever before in a major Sydney venue, thanks to the unique tiered and fan-shaped design, which provides unobstructed views from every single seat.

Enthusiastic about the venue’s first official performance, ICC Sydney Chief Executive Geoff Donaghy sees that the venue will fundamentally change the way events and entertainment are experienced in the city.

Donaghy sated “we are thrilled to have had the iconic Keith Urban launch Sydney’s new entertainment hub.

“(His) appearance demonstrates the immense pulling power of the venue. Our exceptional facilities have truly set a new industry standard for performers and visitors alike, and we cannot wait for everyone to get a taste of the world class offer we have here.”

Also attending the concert, NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism, Major Events and Sport Stuart Ayres  was confident that the ICC Sydney is winning over the world’s event planners and promoters, with the city set to boom thanks to a year round calendar of conventions, exhibitions and concerts within the integrated precinct.

Minister Ayres commented “ICC Sydney is the first venue of its kind in the country and underpins Sydney’s reputation as one of the most desirable destinations in the world.

“It will help draw some of the most coveted artists to our shores for years to come, and inject over $5 billion into the local economy over the next 25 years.

“It’s a real game changer.”

With three theatres, all located within walking distance to Sydney’s CBD and public transport, ICC Sydney is much more than a convention centre but is a convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct.

Urban and Underwood’s performances are just the beginning for ICC Sydney, which will host a full series of summer events including The Hunger Games: The Exhibition and Brickman: Wonders of the World – on display from 20th December, and sets from other international superstars including PJ Harvey and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are lined up throughout the season.

Alongside the ICC Sydney Theatre, the 2,500 capacity Darling Harbour Theatre and 1,000 capacity Pyrmont Theatre will also showcase comedy, theatre, dance performances and more.

Donaghy concluded “with a non-stop parade of hotly anticipated acts set to play at the precinct over the coming months, it’s clear the future of live entertainment in Sydney is bright. This is just the beginning.”

Images: Keith Urban on stage at ICC Sydney Theatre (top and middle) and the crowd fill the new venue (below).

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