Jimmy Barnes' Palmerston North show has been moved to the Arena as the launch for the Palmerston North Gold Cup Festival.

Jimmy Barnes will still be screaming for fans to lay down their guns, he'll just be doing it at a different venue, after anxiety over the readiness of Awapuni Racecourse has led to his upcoming Palmerston North gig being moved.

The working class man will still headline the inaugural Gold Cup Festival racing and entertainment showcase at the end of March, but his show has been re-scheduled to be the opening act instead of the grand finale, and moved to CET Arena.

There had been concerns the racecourse track wouldn't be ready in time for the festival. It's been closed since mid-December to undergo repairs.

Race Group chief executive Alaisdair Robertson said the work would be done in time for the festival, but there had been uncertainty at the time of locking in Barnes' booking.

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"We looked at it and decided this was an opportunity give more people a chance to see Jimmy.

"We thought let's bookend the festival with Jimmy kicking it off on March 30, and The Feelers on stage at the racecourse after the final day of races."

The Australian rocker, who fronted Cold Chisel in the 1970s-80s and has released several popular solo recordings, won't be making it last all night long, but will play a 60-minute show comprised of his biggest hits.

Kiwi country musician and Gold Guitar award winner Craig Loader will open for him.

Robertson said it was the only full concert Barnes would play in New Zealand this year, because he was concentrating on touring his Story and Song theatre show.

The Feelers will play a similar-length show, taking Barnes original slot at the Awapuni Racecourse, after races finish on the Saturday evening

The festival, a joint venture between Palmerston North City Council and Race Group, was meant to be a celebration of everything that makes Palmerston North great, from the military to students, Robertson said.

It would also feature entertainment in The Square, and fashion, sports, stockcars, farm-themed activities and students-in-sulkies challenges.

Racing and novelty animals would be on show, with fashion police scouting for the best-dressed men and women

Tickets to the Barnes concert range from $45 to $25, with children's tickets as low as $10.