Billy Joel to perform a one-night-only show at the MCG

Billy Joel is coming to Australia for one night only.

The 73-year-old will play at the MCG on December 10 as part of Always Live, the Frontier Touring collaboration with Visit Victoria which is promoting the state as world music hub.

CEO of Frontier Touring, Dion Brant, says the 70,000 ticket concert is “a huge deal”.

“I can’t remember the last time artists came to Australia to play a one-off show, and we’re about to have our second one, with the Foo Fighters down in Geelong earlier in the year, and now Billy at the MCG,” he told 3AW Breakfast.

“We were very close to announcing this when everything got shut down for COVID in March 2020 — we were days away.”

The Rumour File was alerted to the possibility of the gig in late 2020.

Press PLAY below to hear how the concert came about

Celebrity publicist Max Markson says Billy Joel is likely being paid at least $5 million.

“You’d probably finish up with $7 million in costs,” he told Neil Mitchell.

“Let’s say they average out at $150 a ticket on average … promoters will make a profit.”

Mr Markson says the state government is banking on interstate tourism for the show bringing in more money than it’s outlaying to get Billy Joel here.

“Let’s say 35,000 are flying in from interstate, and the average head on a bed works out to $1000,” he said.

“That’s $35 million into the Victorian economy.

“That’s a good return.”

Press PLAY below to hear how much the gig is likely to cost Victoria

Image: Jeff Hahne/Getty Images