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“Rhinestones and fringe [are] a lot more expensive than you would anticipate, so that’s probably where most of the money has gone.
“It really does add up, but ... I’m paying for a crafty hobby, so it could be worse.”
Ailise-Mae Mooney (left) and Chelsea Burgy (right) at Harry Styles’ Love on Tour concert in 2023.Credit: Ailise-Mae Mooney
Brisbane friends Ailise-Mae Mooney and Chelsea Burgy approached their Eras experience with a careful budget in mind.
After securing tickets for one of the Sydney shows, they would cut costs by driving down and staying with friends instead of paying for accommodation.
“I would have loved her to come to Brisbane, but I do understand our infrastructure is limited and sports games in summer also limits availability in the few bigger stadiums we do have,” Mooney said.
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Despite being cautious with her spending, Mooney, 23, said once the weekend was complete she would have spent about $1000 on tickets, her outfit, friendship bracelets, fuel, food and merchandise.
Burgy, 26, anticipated her total cost ending up being slightly less at $700.
A poll of 252 people conducted by Brisbane Times on social media found most participants (44 per cent) were spending between $1000 to $5000 on the concert, while 36 per cent managed to keep the cost below $1000. A small percentage of respondents were spending upwards of $5000.
Burgy told this masthead she got creative and made a DIY outfit for $25, while banning takeaway meals in the lead-up.
“I have been trying to do it in the cheapest possible way, making my lunches and dinners at home,” she said.
“For the length of the concert, the production and the valuable memories I’ll have with friends, I say it’s worth everything.
“The anticipation cannot be compared to any other tours, not even Harry Styles, and the community of friendship bracelet making just creates so much fun and extra excitement.”
That sentiment was mirrored by Coombes, who also admitted she never hesitated to commit to the experience when calculating the cost.
“I absolutely viewed it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience … it has been a long time coming for this tour.”
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