Robbie’s scalper-free
FOR a man used to entertaining 50,000 fans at a time, Robbie Williams proved extremely shy during his low-key arrival in Brisbane yesterday.
Williams, who will play two concerts at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium tomorrow and Thursday nights, was whisked away from his private charter plane in a convoy that included two tinted Mercedes and four Toyota Taragos.
Crowds at the concert will be closely watched by police armed with new laws targeting scalpers and dishonest fans. Queensland Sports Minister Andrew Fraser yesterday said “eagle-eyed” promoters and organisers would back up efforts to enforce the laws, which make it illegal to buy and sell tickets at inflated prices.
Mr Fraser said the concerts were the first major gigs since the laws were introduced on December 7. They include fines of up to $1500 for scalpers and $375 for buyers and also target those attempting to sell tickets online.
But the laws do not target those who buy tickets from friends who are unable to attend an event, applying only to tickets sold at more than 10 per cent of the original price.
One fan who will not have trouble getting up close is Waterford’s Jacqui Keep.
The 24-year-old won a competition run by radio station B105 to meet Williams before his first concert tomorrow night.
“I am stoked,” she said.
“I think I will just jump on him! It’s so overwhelming and doesn’t feel real.”
A. Horswill and A. Murdoch / news.com.au/couriermail