Jose Carreras to Headline Major Concert at The Gabba
Renowned Spanish tenor José Carreras will celebrate his 80th birthday with a significant all-star concert at Brisbane’s iconic Gabba stadium this December. Organizers announced the event, titled ‘Carreras & Friends,’ which will feature a diverse lineup of international and local artists.
An Unlikely Gathering of Musical Talent
The Spanish tenor will lead a roster of acclaimed performers including pop icon Robbie Williams, the beloved Irish band The Corrs, singer-songwriter Ronan Keating, Heart’s lead vocalist Ann Wilson, Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes, and Natalie Imbruglia. The concert will also showcase fellow opera stars Katherine Jenkins and Australian tenor Mark Vincent.
The evening promises a dynamic program of individual performances and unique collaborations, all supported by the expansive sound of over 90 musicians from the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. The event is set to culminate in a grand, all-star finale.
The Gabba’s Return to Live Music
The Gabba, a venue slated for demolition following the 2032 Olympic Games, is rarely used for live music performances. ‘Carreras & Friends’ marks the first concert to be held at the stadium, primarily known for cricket and Australian Rules Football, since major acts like Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, and Adele performed there in previous years.
While some artists on the bill have recently toured Australia, such as The Corrs in February 2025, and Robbie Williams is scheduled to perform elsewhere in the city just two weeks prior, the government is anticipating considerable interest from beyond Queensland for this unconventional event.
Economic Impact and Expert Enthusiasm
Queensland’s Minister for Tourism, Andrew Powell, expressed confidence in the concert’s potential to stimulate the state’s economy, projecting an estimated $11 million in revenue. “José Carreras is one of the world’s most celebrated performers and this exclusive Queensland event will attract more visitors, support local businesses and showcase our state to audiences around the globe,” stated Minister Powell.
The concert is being promoted by Echo Pacific Entertainment, the latest venture from established promoter Andrew McManus. McManus’s previous large-scale event faced scrutiny due to line-up changes and a data breach affecting ticket holders seeking refunds.
A Nod to Pavarotti’s Legacy
The concept for ‘Carreras & Friends’ draws parallels with the celebrated ‘Pavarotti & Friends’ charity concert series, which was spearheaded by Carreras’s Three Tenors colleague, Luciano Pavarotti, during the 1990s and early 2000s. Those events featured a star-studded array of artists including Elton John, Queen, Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton, and the Spice Girls.
Dreams Fulfilled for Australian Artists
For Australian performers, the opportunity to share the stage with Carreras is a deeply personal and long-awaited moment. Mark Vincent described the upcoming performance as a lifelong dream, recalling his grandfather’s prophecy that he would one day perform alongside such legendary artists. “I used to sit at home watching the DVD of the Three Tenors, it was like religion. I studied the voices of José, Luciano [Pavarotti] and Placido Domingo and he said to me and my grandmother, ‘One day you’ll be up there with those incredible artists’. To think that one of those dreams has come true to perform with José Carreras, I’m honestly so grateful,” Vincent shared.
Brisbane band Sheppard, also featured on the lineup, echoed this sentiment. Vocalist and keyboardist Amy Sheppard called it a “pinch-yourself moment” to be included among such esteemed artists. “I think 10-year-old Amy would be pinching herself up there with The Corrs, and Darren Hayes of Savage Garden has really inspired our music, so it’s a dream gig for us,” she said.
Frontman George Sheppard humorously suggested the potential for unique collaborations, quipping, “Let’s see if we can get José singing Geronimo.”
‘Carreras & Friends’ is scheduled to take place at the Gabba on Saturday, December 5.
