todays local rag
Skilled Stones hopes roll on
Thursday, January 19
PETER BEGG
GEELONG'S bid for a Rolling Stones concert is still alive, despite tour promoters holding discussions with Flemington race course officials.
Geelong Mayor Peter McMullin said yesterday the city's bid for a concert at Skilled Stadium was still an option.
In fact, Cr McMullin said Skilled Stadium had advantages over Flemington, which was more one-dimensional compared with the amphitheatre effect at the football ground.
``They are both of similar size and you could probably get more into Skilled Stadium,'' Cr McMullin said.
``It's really up to the promoters where they ultimately choose, but we're certainly well in there with a chance.
``We're certainly in there and we're pursuing it actively.''
Cr McMullin said he personally held discussions with the Dainty Corporation.
He said the Victoria Racing Club was in talks at the same stage.
The mayor said he had personally seen the Rolling Stones perform at the MCG, and he recommended them to anyone.
The MCG and Telstra Dome are unavailable during April because of football commitments, prompting the City of Greater Geelong to make a bid.
Skilled Stadium could be available on April 22 or 29, when the Cats play away games. The Geelong Falcons are scheduled to play at Skilled on April 29, but that could be changed.
At one stage it was felt the band's Bigger Bang tour would skip Victoria because no suitable venue was available.
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www.geelonginfo.com.au]