Bublé blows into Durbs

For many years now, when it comes to big-name international concert tours, Durban has not been invited to the party.

But there are signs of change.

It was announced yesterday that Michael Bublé would play three shows here on his new world tour - with Durban getting a nod for March 17 next year, Cape Town on March 19, and Johannesburg on March 21 and 22.

Last week the popular UK rock band The Script announced three South African shows for February that also included Durban.

Two-thirds of the tickets for Durban's show have already been sold.

US crooner John Legend announced he will play seven shows there next month. Six of the shows, including the one at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, sold out quickly.

Local promoter Big Concerts CEO Justin van Wyk said there wasn't cause for celebration just yet.

He said: "Durban is a difficult market to crack. It's very hard to establish trends and forecast what type of shows will be in demand.

"We've taken big losses over the years in Durban and it's only recently that we've seen a resurgence in demand.

"If this continues we'll take bigger risks, but it's a fine balance as the big global tours are expensive to move around between cities.

"We have to adapt to economic conditions and the exchange rate. We have to innovate and come up with new ideas," he said.

Additional reporting by Jerome Cornelius