Jimmy Barnes set to farewell MotoGP at Phillip Island

Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes will send MotoGP at Phillip Island out with a bang by playing some of his biggest hits on October 24 in a trackside performance.

The Glasgow-born artist will perform at the famous Phillip Island circuit on the Saturday night before the venue's final Grand Prix.

As revealed in February, the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will move to a proposed Adelaide street circuit in 2027, ending a 30-year run for Phillip Island (although the event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The venue will also lose hosting rights for a World Superbike Championship round after one final race in 2027.

Ironically, MotoGP's new Australian home of Adelaide is the same city where "Barnsey" and his family settled after moving to Australia when he was five-years-old, and where his legendary band Cold Chisel was formed in 1973.

With emotions sure to be high at the Island's last hurrah, Barnes will provide a fitting soundtrack with solo hits like Working Class Man and No Second Prize, as well as Cold Chisel classics such as Flame Trees and Khe Sahn.

The concert will be included in the price of a Saturday ticket, which starts at $75 for Adult General Admission, and post-race transport services will be extended to allow punters to stay longer and enjoy the festivities.

Controversy has surrounded the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix's move from Victoria to Adelaide, with many criticising the Victorian Government, circuit owners and the Phillip Island Council for not doing more to keep the race.

Ageing facilities and a lack of suitable accommodation near the circuit are partly to blame, but new MotoGP owners Liberty Media have also seen an opportunity to hold an F1-style event on the streets of Adelaide.

But the idea of a street race has also attracted backlash, with concerns about safety and the over-commercialisation of the sport. Some commentators have suggested that a street race is unrealistic and that the event will ultimately be held at The Bend circuit, roughly 90 minutes south-east of Adelaide.

For now, though, all eyes will be on Phillip Island as it hosts MotoGP one final time in front of what will surely be a bumper crowd.