Two government-sponsored performances by Sir Elton John in regional Queensland have been likened to Ancient Rome's use of the Colosseum to entertain - and distract - the public.
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The state government has maintained its silence on whether it is paying money for the concerts, citing commercial in confidence, after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced Sir Elton would bypass Queensland's capital and perform in Mackay and Cairns instead.
Sir Elton alone charges $1.3-$1.9 million per performance, according to a list published by CelebrityTalent.net and republished by Business Insider Australia in 2014.
PR guru Max Markson, of publicity and events organisation Markson Sparks, said whatever the contract, the performer would make his usual fee.
"If he normally gets $1 million a show, he'll still be getting $1 million a show," he said.
"It won't be extra money, it won't be less money."
He said the Queensland government would likely be pitching in the "major money".
Mr Markson said the shows in Mackay and Cairns – expected to attract more than 24,000 fans combined – were a smart move from promoter Michael Chugg, Tourism and Events Queensland, local councils and Sir Elton.
The government estimated the two concerts would inject up to $7.5 million into the Queensland economy, and up to 5000 interstate and international visitors were expected to travel to Mackay and Cairns.
"It's a good idea and the council will put in money, the government will put in money, Tourism and Events Queensland will put in money and it'll do well and they'll make money from it," Mr Markson said.
He said governments were increasingly getting into music and sport promotion.
"That's why (ancient Romans) created the Colosseum, to make the public forget about the problems of the country and give them circuses and give them entertainment," he said.
"Forget this election coming up, come and see Elton John."
A state election is expected later this year, with both major parties under pressure in regional Queensland as One Nation's support there grows.
Newcastle University (UK) contemporary and pop music lecturer Adam Behr said details of arrangements between promoters and governments tended to be opaque so it was difficult to say how much it would cost state coffers.
But he said some contributions could be "in kind", such as with the council-owned BB Print Stadium Mackay, so there could be an arrangement there, or a deal on ancillary costs, such as the cost of policing.
Griffith University Business School Professor Christine Smith said the shows would provide a boost to Mackay and Cairns.
"People choosing to attend the concerts in those particular towns and time it in with a more extended visit to those towns would provide a boost to tourism," Dr Smith said.
"But whether there's a net benefit to Queensland will depend on how much the Queensland government has put in to make Elton John choose those locations compared to Brisbane."
On Wednesday morning, promoters announced Sir Elton would also head to Wollongong on his Once in a Lifetime tour – bypassing Sydney.
Mr Markson said hosting the concert in regional areas was smart.
"Everyone in Brisbane has seen Elton John, he's been coming here for over 40 years. He'll be back in a few years, so it's neither here nor there," he said.
