Which hot act will show up?

Gotye was number one in Triple J’s Hottest 100.

Martin Philbey

ROCKHAMPTON show-goers could be in for a treat this year, and not just the fairy floss kind, with the prospect of a national music artist headlining the June event.

With 60,000 patrons expected to pass through the gates at the 2012 Beef Expo, the Rockhampton Regional Council yesterday decided the additional income generated by the triennial event would be used to contract a high-profile performer, appealing to Rockhampton's youth.

While it probably won't be Justin Bieber (sorry girls), the possibilities are plenty, from hip-hop group Hilltop Hoods to Australian X Factor winner Reece Mastin.

The council's manager of arts and heritage, Peter Owens, said negotiations were already under way with an artist, although he could not reveal who.

The council anticipated that the cost to present the concert would be about $65,000.

Marc Mancini, marketing and publicity officer for event management company QLive, said with that kind of money Rockhampton could secure a "pretty decent act".

"It depends on a lot of different factors, but I would think you would be able to get a top 20 Aria charting artist for that amount," he said.

However, councillors Bill Ludwig and Cherie Rutherford voted against the proposal.

"If the showgrounds is making money, then that money should be put back into the facility," Cr Rutherford said.

Cr Ludwig said with the Rockhampton Show running in direct competition with Yeppoon's show this year there needed to be a level playing field for both events.

"Yeppoon Show is self financing," he said.

"It simply isn't right to give this level of financial support to Rocky and nothing for Yeppoon."

However, chairwoman of the community development committee, Cr Rose Swadling, assured the concert would be a "one-off".

"It is a part of the overall show event which will this year be over a four-day weekend for the last time," she said.

PAST BIG NAME ACTS IN ROCKY

• Silverchair
• Powderfinger
• Jimmy Barnes
• Cold Chisel
• Evermore
• D12
• Ben Lee and Pete Murray