BELOVED comedian Ahn Do is returning to Swan Hill for the second time, following a wildly successful show in 2023 that was such a hit, local footy and netball training were called off to make way for the event.
Swan Hill Town Hall manager Simon Myers is thrilled to welcome Do back and said it’s a major step forward in the venue’s long-term mission to put Swan Hill back on the national comedy circuit.
“We’ve been working for a while to put Swan Hill back on the map for comedians,” Mr Myers said.
“He was very successful when he did his show in 2023 – so much so that they had to cancel football and netball practice.
“When I die, I’m going to have that on my epitaph: In Swan Hill, I had to cancel netball practice because Ahn Do came to town. That’s big; especially here.”
Mr Myers said the return of high-profile comedians like Do helps build industry trust and interest from other performers.
“The good news is he’s back, and the reason is simple: he’s doing well, and the show was a success,” he said.
“When other comedians see someone like Do playing a regional venue, they take notice.
“We’ve got Akmal coming later in the year, too.
“So, we’re building relationships with major comedy agents, which hasn’t always been easy.”
Turning the tide for regional entertainment
WHILE Swan Hill has long struggled to maintain its spot on touring routes, that narrative is changing.
Mr Myers pointed to recent events that show growing momentum — including a standout performance from Graeme Connors, whose promoter once considered Swan Hill a lost cause.
“When I first arrived, his promoter told me, ‘Swan Hill’s where shows go to die’. But after Graeme’s performance, he called me up to say what a great experience it was, with a great audience and great vibe,” Mr Myers said.
“Graeme ended up playing two hours straight without a break because the crowd didn’t want to stop. That speaks volumes.”
The turnaround is no accident. Mr Myers credits improvements in both production quality and audience experience.
“We’ve worked really hard to make sure the level of production support we give is just as good as anywhere else,” he said.
“That gets noticed in the industry.
“And the venue itself is stunning; we’ve made sure the audiences trust they’ll see a great show here.”
Tackling the challenges of a changing market
DESPITE this upward trajectory, Mr Myers said the live entertainment industry still faces major headwinds, particularly rising costs.
“Insurance, production, staffing – everything’s gone up,” he said.
“But you can’t just pass that on to ticket buyers.
“That’s one reason we’re seeing venues that boomed after COVID now closing down.”
Still, Mr Myers believes Swan Hill has a few unique advantages, especially its older population.
“The 50-70 age group still has disposable income,” he said.
“They’ve paid off homes, the kids are gone – they want to get out and enjoy things.
“They love having a ticket, a seat, maybe a bottle of wine – it’s an experience for them.
“That’s not as easy for the younger generation, who are dealing with housing stress and low wages.”
Mr Myers also noted that while younger audiences are harder to reach, they’re more drawn to big-name acts and large-scale productions, making smaller regional gigs a harder sell.
Programming for a diverse community
MR Myers said a key part of Swan Hill Town Hall’s strategy is tailoring the program to reflect the local demographic.
“Our town’s not your typical country town,” he said.
“Music does well, comedy does well – especially if there’s a profile. Drama is still a hard sell, but that’s not just here, it’s everywhere.”
Children’s shows, he added, are essential but tricky to manage.
“They’re expensive to put on, but you can’t charge a lot for tickets,” Mr Myers said.
“Some smart promoters are starting to work with us as co-producers, which helps both sides.
“It’s the only way forward for quality children’s entertainment.”
Community venues on the rise
AHN Do’s tour also includes a stop in Robinvale, another venue Mr Myers and his team are working to reinvigorate.
“Robinvale’s a great little venue, great community,” he said.
“We had Neil Murray recently – it went okay, but it’s about building that momentum again.
“We’re seeing the community use it more now.”
“The wider goal is to develop a more consistent audience base across the region.
“It’s still a work in progress.
“People leave it to the last minute, so I always tell them: Buy early to get the good seats.
“And, yes, we’re limiting capacity, so it’s not an endless supply anymore.”
A strong year, but still building
LOOKING back at the year so far, Mr Myers feels optimistic.
“It’s been a good year,” he said.
“We’re getting more solid audience numbers, more consistent feedback.
“People tell us, ‘It’s great I don’t have to go to Melbourne to see a quality show’.
“That saves them a lot of money and hassle.”
With strong acts like Ahn Do and Akmal, an eye on rising costs, and a commitment to quality, Mr Myers said Swan Hill was well on the way to becoming a must-play venue again.
