Michael Jackson then, Taylor Swift now: why superstars keep skipping Hong Kong
- There are several possible reasons for Swift’s omission of Hong Kong from her Asia tour, including the US State Department’s negative travel advisory
- But the key issue is surely that 20 years after the Stones played on a purpose-built stage in Central, Hong Kong still doesn’t have a suitable arena
Once the disease had been brought under control and various travel advisories withdrawn, a campaign was launched to revive the economy.
Out of a total allocation of HK$1 billion for economic relaunch publicity and activities, some HK$700 million was spent on various projects, the lion’s share on assuring foreigners it was safe to visit Hong Kong again.
What turned out to be most controversial was an idea from the American Chamber of Commerce. It would organise a series of concerts with famous artists performing on a purpose-built stage on the harbourfront. Ministers in charge of the relaunch enthusiastically supported the idea and readily agreed to the requested subsidy of HK$100 million to keep ticket prices low.
For a variety of reasons, the event became a political hot potato. It is not easy looking back to zero in on the precise cause; it could have been that the economy recovered so quickly, before the first concert was held. Anyway, as an involved party, I am not neutral enough to comment.
Because the proceedings had been so manifestly unfair and the outcome ridiculous, I sought a judicial review of decisions made against me by the chief executive and two other senior officials. The judge found in my favour against all three and awarded costs.
To celebrate the outcome, which had the effect of clearing his name too, Thompson organised a party for the legal team and others who had helped. He distributed T-shirts to all attendees that were emblazoned across the front with the slogan “I fought the government. And the law won” and on the back, with the case number “HCAL 41/2007”. I still have mine.
By chance, one day last week I put on that shirt after a workout in the gym. Another person in the changing room pointed to the slogan and asked with a smile, “Is that still allowed?”
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But the key issue is surely lack of appropriate venues. The capacity of the temporary facility constructed for HarbourFest was about the same as the 12,500-seat Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom. The Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po seats 40,000 but holding major concerts there is challenging.
The global entertainment industry will never forget that a proposed Michael Jackson concert many years ago did not proceed, amid concerns of noise disturbance to nearby residents.
Hong Kong’s Swifties – as her fans are known – will not suffer unduly as they are used to travelling outside Hong Kong to attend major events. For years we have become accustomed to going to Macau to see headline artists as the casinos have clout and deep pockets, and usually include a “no Hong Kong concert for X months” clause in the contract.
Singapore is readily accessible, and for the really determined, Japan and Australia are not out of the question. Stand by for much gnashing of teeth by the local hospitality sector.
When the dust has settled, perhaps someone could find out why, 20 years after the last notes of the HarbourFest faded, we are still waiting for a proper venue.
Mike Rowse is the CEO of Treloar Enterprises