The Courier Mail (Aug. 23rd 2002)

No Doubt fronts hall’s last gig

Her trademark platinum ponytail was hidden and her eyes covered by shades, but there was no doubt about rock-star Gwen Stefani's arrival at Brisbane airport yesterday.

The face of American pop-rock outfit No Doubt will tonight lead the group at a Festival Hall gig in the final, confirmed booking for the doomed entertainment venue.

The band are playing three cities in five days, and Stefani said she was craving some time to put her feet up.

“I'm a little exhausted to tell the truth -- I haven't really had the chance to enjoy (Australia) yet,” she said.

A spokeswoman for Festival Hall -- which will be torn down to make way for a residential development -- said the venue had other gigs “penciled in” but no confirmed bookings after tonight's show.

No Doubt drummer Adrian Young said that should it be the last gig, the band would take the venue out in style.

“But we were saying it should be an Australian band that plays the last show,” Young said.

At the news Festival Hall was set to be demolished, touring keyboard and horn player Gabrial McNair joked he had big plans for the venue.

“It means we can give the dressing rooms a good go,” he said.

The band are touring their latest album, Rock Steady, which features hit singles Hey Baby and Hella Good.

They play their final Australian gig in Sydney on Sunday and then will play three dates with The Rolling Stones on their US tour.

Stefani, famous for her head-turning fashion sense, is to wed her British musician boyfriend, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, reportedly on September 14 in London.