Macy GrayThe first date of American singer Macy Gray’s upcoming Australian tour may be in doubt, with planned strike action potentially set to disrupt the event.
Gray is scheduled to launch her run of Australian dates this Friday, September 11th at Hamer Hall in Melbourne. The venue is itself part of the larger Arts Centre Melbourne, whose workers say they’re planning to walk off the job for 24 hours in a dispute over pay, working conditions, and funding for the arts sector by the Government.
As Limelight reports, the forthcoming action – which is scheduled to take effect from 12:01am on Friday, September 11th, and will include a picket line launching outside Hamer Hall at 3:30pm followed by a rally at 6pm – will reportedly not only affect Gray’s performance, but also a presentation of of GRIMM by the Brisbane theatre company Shake & Stir.
It’s not the first action undertaken by members of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) and colleagues from the Community & Public Sector Union (CPSU), with a previous action including a 30-minute delay of a performance of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra earlier this month.
“Workers are at a point where they simply can’t afford to accept another agreement that leaves them falling behind,” MEAA Deputy Chief Executive, Adam Portelli, was quoted as saying.
“Without proper funding, Arts Centre Melbourne cannot continue delivering the high-quality experiences Victorian audiences expect.”
In a statement provided to The Age, a spokesperson for Arts Centre Melbourne stated that management is aware of the forthcoming industrial action, and ticket holders would be notified if any of the forthcoming performances were affected.
“Our team is working through the operational impacts of the planned action. At this stage, there has been no change to scheduled performances,” the spokesperson said.
Tickets to other dates on Gray’s upcoming tour are on sale now.
MACY GRAY LIVE
THE ENCORE TOUR – BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
AUSTRALIA 2026
Friday, 11 September - Hamer Hall, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday, 12 September - Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide, SA
Sunday, 13 September - Shepparton Entertainment Centre, Shepparton, VIC
Monday, 14 September - Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury, VIC
Wednesday, 16 September - Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW
Friday, 18 September - Wrest Point, Hobart, TAS
Saturday, 19 September - The Station, Newcastle, NSW
Sunday, 20 September - Tacking Point Tavern, Port Macquarie NSW
Thursday, 24 September - Coliseum Theatre, Rooty Hill, NSW
Friday, 25 September - Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Saturday, 26 September - Woodport Hotel, Erina, NSW
Sunday, 27 September - Tamworth Town Hall, Tamworth NSW
Wednesday, 30 September - Southern Cross Club, Canberra, ACT
Friday, 2 October - Townsville Civic Theatre, Townsville, QLD
Saturday, 3 October - CPAC, Cairns, QLD
Wednesday, 7 October - Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton, QLD
Thursday, 8 October - Beach Road Hotel, Byron Bay, NSW
Friday, 9 October - QPAC, Brisbane, QLD
Saturday, 10 October - CX Club, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Sunday, 11 October - Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay NSW
