This is the date and time that this news article was published.
January is already a great time to be in Warrnambool, and it’s set to get even better with the Red Hot Summer Tour confirmed for the next three years.
Warrnambool City Council has partnered with Face to Face Touring to bring the popular concert back to Warrnambool in January 2027, 2028 and 2029.
The long-term partnership follows the success of the Red Hot Summer Tour event held at the Warrnambool Racecourse on January 17 this year, which attracted almost seven thousand attendees and featured an all-star Australian line-up including Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, The Cruel Sea, Kasey Chambers, The Cat Empire and Jess Hitchcock.
Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain said the strong attendance and positive response from concertgoers, local businesses and the wider community reinforced the value of the event for Warrnambool.
“The Red Hot Summer Tour has been one of the standout events on Warrnambool's calendar this year, attracting visitors from across Victoria and beyond while showcasing our city as a premier destination for major events,” he said.
“Anyone coming to Warrnambool in January knows they can look forward to days at the beach, time spent around Lake Pertobe and the foreshore, visiting Flagstaff Hill and the Warrnambool Art Gallery, enjoying Warrnambool’s cafes and restaurants and now, the Red Hot Summer Tour.”
Spending in Warrnambool on the day of this year’s event was $190,000 higher than the previous Saturday, with Cr Blain saying this highlighted the broader benefits of hosting major events.
“When you have an event that creates a great buzz around the city, that locals and visitors really enjoy and that also provides a boost for the local economy, that’s exactly the type of event we want to host in Warrnambool,” he said.
"We're delighted to be continuing our partnership with Face to Face Touring and look forward to welcoming some of Australia's best live performers and thousands of visitors back to Warrnambool over the coming years."
Face to Face Touring Event Manager Deb Alexander said the success of the January concert made Warrnambool a natural choice for a longer-term commitment.
"The response to this year's event was exceptional, with a fantastic crowd, a great venue and strong support from the local community and Council," she said.
"Warrnambool offers everything we look for when delivering major outdoor concerts, and we're excited to lock in a long-term partnership that gives us the opportunity to continue bringing world-class Australian live music experiences to the region.
"We appreciate the strong collaboration and support from Warrnambool City Council and look forward to announcing future line-ups that will continue to attract music lovers from across the state and beyond."
Further details regarding future Red Hot Summer Tour concert dates and artist line-ups will be announced by Face to Face Touring in the coming months.