Music still Chugg's inspiration
Michael Chugg is the man responsible for bringing some of the world’s biggest artists to our stages, from Elton John to Coldplay.
The executive chairman of Chugg Entertainment has spent more than 50 years working in music touring and promotions.
“It’s not a job. I love what I’m doing.” Chugg said.
He promoted his first event, a dance for his local cycling club, in Tasmania at the age of just 15.
“I was always into music. I grew up in a house full of music,” he said.
The business is getting more expensive, but Chugg says venues such as The Perth Arena have made Perth more Viable for touring artists.
Over the years, he has enjoyed getting involved with bands in their early stages and watching them grow.
“When I toured Radiohead in the late 90s, no one knew who they were. Now we sell 60,000 tickets in five minutes," he said.
Chugg credits the Internet for increasing the popularity of different music styles.
“Twenty years ago, a lot of genres would not pull enough people. Now most genres of music have an audience,” he said.
Chugg is in Perth for the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival on Sunday.
Fremantle Park will host a variety of international and Australian acts including, Jurassic 5, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, John Butler and Paul Kelly.
Chugg is also involved in the national tour of Spirit of The ANZACS later this year.
Written by Lee Kernaghan and Garth Porter, the production was inspired by letters and stories from the Australian War Memorial.
“It’s very emotional, very uplifting and I think it should be a highlight of this year.”
