Fred Again Creates Ticket Frenzy With Surprise Show at Sydney Opera House
Fred Again has done it again, dropping a surprise performance on Australians and selling it out in next-to-no-time.
The British producer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist used the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a prop for a social post Tuesday morning (Feb. 27), which doubled as the big reveal for his pop-up show later that evening at the Sydney Opera House.
The performance at the 2,679-capacity Concert Hall “immediately sold out,” according to Warner Music. Due to “expected high demand,” ticket hunters were placed into a queue to purchase tickets, according to reps from the iconic venue, with over 125,000 people waiting in line following the announcement.
The intimate show is said to be a special, one-off stripped version of his live show, with Fred teasing “no lights, one small screen, me, tony, and maybe the most beautiful venue in the world”.
It’s peak summer in these parts and live music fans are enjoying an embarrassment of riches, with Taylor Swift, Pink, Chemical Brothers, Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls and now Fred Again among the big-ticket international acts currently filling arenas and stadiums across the country.
Fred Again (real name: Fred Gibson) has a special connection with Australian audiences. He made his live debut here in January 2023, performing sets at Laneway Festival, selling-out headline shows, and unleashing surprise DJ pop-ups that reportedly sold-out in under 5 seconds, including a set at Sydney’s 5,500-capacity Hordern Pavilion.
The Brit’s career has taken off like a rocket. Along the ride, Fred became the Brit Awards’ youngest ever producer of the year champ, and scooped two Grammy Awards earlier this month for best dance/electronic album (for Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 23, 2022)) and best dance/electronic recording for his work on “Rumble” with Skrillex and Flowdan.
Starting out as a producer, Fred collaborated with Ed Sheeran and Stormzy, working his magic on U.K. No. 1 single “Take Me Back To London,” and cutting tracks with the likes of Swedish House Mafia and Headie One. His talent was rewarded last year when he signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group.
U.S. audiences will get a piece of the action when Fred Again headlines Bonnaroo 2024 this June.
Lars Brandle
Billboard