Between 2016 and 2017 the live performance industry experienced growth in both ticket sales revenue and attendance in every state and territory. The variation in growth generated in each market is primarily impacted by major tours or events, particularly international tours, that take place in each state or territory in any given year.

Queensland experienced the highest growth in revenue and third highest growth in terms of attendance amongst all states and territories. Between 2016 and 2017, revenue increased by 46.4% (to $263.9m) and attendance increased by 26.5% (to 3.2m). This significant growth was primarily driven by major contemporary music performances including Adele and Paul McCartney, and major musicals including Kinky Boots, Matilda and My Fair Lady.

Victoria experienced increases of 45.3% in revenue (to $639.9m) and 35.6% in attendance (to 7.4m) between 2016 and 2017. This increase in revenue and attendance was largely driven by growth in the following categories:

• Circus and Physical Theatre experienced an increase of 351.4% in revenue and 158% in attendance, primarily attributable to Cirque du Soleil’s tours of both Toruk and Kooza to Victoria.
• Contemporary Music experienced an increase of 97.3% in revenue and 60.6% in attendance, driven by performances by major international artists such as Adele, Paul McCartney, Guns N' Roses, Bruce Springsteen and Justin Bieber.
• Musical Theatre revenue increased by 59.2% and attendance by 56.3% due to performances of major musicals taking place including The Book of Mormon, My Fair Lady and Aladdin.
• Theatre revenue increased by 19.3% and attendance by 42.5% due to high-profile performances such as the Melbourne season of the Pop-Up Globe’s Much Ado about Nothing, As You Like It, Othello and Henry V, as well as The Play That Goes Wrong.

NSW experienced a steady increase in revenue of 16.2% (to $615.8m) and growth of 13.5% (to 6.9m) in attendance between 2016 and 2017. The increase in revenue was driven by significant increases in Festival (Multi-Category) (107.4%), Contemporary music (71.4%), Festival (Contemporary Music) (26.4%) and Special Events (373.5%), offset by declines in Theatre (39.4%), Circus and Physical Theatre (35%), Opera (13.2%), Children’s/Family (7.6%) and Musical Theatre (6.5%).

• Festival (Multi-Category) revenue increased primarily due to the growth of Sydney Festival with shows such as the musical Ladies in Black. Contemporary Music revenue increased primarily due to performances by major international artists including Adele, Guns N’ Roses and Paul McCartney among many others. Festival (Contemporary Music) growth can be primarily attributed to the growth of major festivals such as Splendour in the Grass, Bluesfest and Groovin’ the Moo.
• Theatre revenue decreased primarily due to a 22.6% decline in average ticket prices, as well as less major commercial theatre productions in 2017 in comparison to 2016. For example, Mrs Brown’s Boys which performed in NSW in 2016 did not take place in 2017. Circus and Physical Theatre revenue declined, primarily driven by less Cirque du Soleil performances in 2017 compared to 2016.