12:00a.m. 27th April 2008

Are some of Australia’s biggest rock acts headed for Caloundra in the next few weeks?

Well, yes ... and no.

The word on the street recently has been that ARIA-winning bands Powderfinger and silverchair are set to rock the roof off the soon-to-open Caloundra RSL Sunshine Coast Function Centre.

The $11 million centre, which is part of the Caloundra RSL redevelopment, will open its doors in mid-June but it turns out the rumours about big-name acts set to grace its stage have been only half right.

Caloundra RSL Club officials yesterday confirmed they had missed out on securing Powderfinger because the band would be playing a sold-out concert at the Lake Kawana Community Centre in June.

But they have been in discussions with silverchair’s management and although no contracts have been signed, things are looking good for the Newcastle outfit to head this way.

Whatever happens, group marketing manager Lloyd Mills said the function centre would play host to a number of musicians in the coming months, including 1970s disco sensation Leo Sayer and former Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes.

The Living End and Spiderbait also look likely to hit the stage.

Dates had not been confirmed but Mr Mills said patrons could expect Leo Sayer and Spiderbait to perform around July 18 or 19.

“We’ve signed off contracts with them,’’ he said.

“It’s just the background work to be done.

“We’re talking to just about everyone we can.’’

The Sunshine Coast Function Centre will seat 500 people banquet style or 900 theatre style, and it has standing space for 1200 people, enabling some of the nation’s biggest acts to perform on the Sunshine Coast.