Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) chief executive Terry Davies made the comments yesterday after it was announced Springsteen will perform at Christchurch's AMI Stadium on the eve of the six-year anniversary of the February quake before heading to Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.
Mr Davies said DVML expressed an interest in Springsteen playing at Forsyth Barr Stadium early on, but the promoter said ''don't even bother'' trying, given Springsteen's emotional connection with Christchurch.
''I don't think there is anything we could have done to deviate Bruce's wish to perform on the eve of the anniversary of the earthquake.''
''It wouldn't have mattered if I had put up $10 million - he would have said look, the issue was all around the emotion of playing the city.''
In a usual situation a promoter would still favour Dunedin over Christchurch.
''If apples are apples Forsyth Barr Stadium, if there is a South Island show, will get it hands down.
''We know that promoters are saying that, [Frontier Touring and Springsteen's] Michael Gudinski would say it's a no brainer - you go to Forsyth Barr Stadium over Christchurch at the moment, not a question.''
He hoped there would be announcements about acts coming to the stadium soon, but noted it was quite a ''dry period''.
''We have got pencil dates right out until 2017, but nothing to confirm yet.''
Mr Gudinski told the New Zealand Herald he campaigned to get him to Christchurch for the quake anniversary.
''The fact that his song [My City of Ruins] was such a big part of the rebuilding of Christchurch, I spoke to [his manager] about it and ...I really campaigned for that date to be in Christchurch and it's something that I think will be very special,''
''While the timing wasn't planned, it's just really worked and I know it'll mean a lot to the people down there,'' Mr Gudinski said.
Springsteen and the E Street Band will play in Christchurch on February 21 and Auckland on February 25. Tickets go on sale from September 23.
Springsteen's hit My City of Ruins became an unofficial anthem for Christchurch's recovery, with Springsteen dedicating an emotional performance of the song to the city in 2014.
