Aussie Band Spends Big on Apology After Free Melbourne Gig Shut Down

A free show by Amyl and The Sniffers was shut down over security concerns on Friday night, but the Aussie rockers made up for it in a very surprising way.

The Grammy-nominated stars, who are currently supporting AC/DC on their national tour, were scheduled to play a free concert in Melbourne’s Federation Square.

But the all-ages show was scuttled soon after the band was scheduled to take to the stage because perimeter fences were breached.

Frontwoman Amy Taylor took to the band’s Instagram shortly after the cancellation to apologise to fans—and offer them an eye-popping apology gift.

‘So, so, so sorry, we’re really sad. We’re backstage and we literally would’ve loved to play—we’re devastated the f***ing fences got crushed in,’ she said.

‘We were really excited about this.’ 

The band followed with a second post urging event organisers to issue a statement about the cancellation.

‘My heart is [angry face emoji] but we want you to be safe, too,’ the post read.

‘Didn’t expect this turnout so thank you for coming and supporting us. Gonna go get blackout drunk somewhere in mourning.’

The apology didn’t end there, with the band sharing a second video revealing a very magnanimous gesture to affected revellers.

‘We’re so f***ing sorry that we couldn’t play,’ Amy said in the video. ‘It sucks to not be able to play in our hometown for free.

‘We’re not dogging ya, it’s because a bunch of people f***ing rushed the barriers so it wasn’t safe especially because it was all ages. We don’t want anyone having a s*** time.’

Amy then revealed the band were donating their fee as bar tabs at various venues throughout the city as an apology gift.

‘What we are doing is using our fee to go back to some local venues, so have a drink on us in AC/DC fashion,’ Amy said referring to the band’s track Have A Drink On Me.

‘5k at the bar at Last Chance, The Tote, Labour and Vain, Hell’s Kitchen, The Curtain, Cherry Bar, and Old Bar,’ she said.

‘So, there’s five thousand dollars’ tab on each of those venues at the bar so have a drink on us. We’re so sorry, we really wanted to play. 

‘I was chucking a tantrum like no tomorrow, you can’t imagine it.’

The band then shared an official statement from Federation Square, apologising for the scuttled gig.

‘We did not take this decision lightly and are deeply sorry for any disappointment caused, however tonight simply could not continue,’ the post read.

‘Our sincere apologies to the band and their fans.’

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Melbourne Arts Precinct co-chief executive Katrina Sedgwick said the fencing supplied and level of security on hand were appropriate for the size of the event.

‘It was a really tough decision, but we will always put the safety of our patrons, of our staff, of the band and the community first,’ she said.

‘The issues began when large groups of people gathered outside of the perimeter and began pushing on the fencing and multiple breaches occurred, particularly in the areas where there were emergency gates which we are required to include in the fencing.’

Katrina went on to praise the behaviour of the ‘disappointed’ concertgoers inside the perimeter. 

‘I want to thank the crowd inside the square who were bitterly disappointed, who behaved well, with grace, and calmly exited,’ she said.

Amyl and the Sniffers will continue their tour with AC/DC at Melbourne’s MCG on Sunday before heading to Sydney for two shows at Accor Stadium on November 21 and 25.

From there they will head to the BP Adelaide Supercars grand final on November 30 before two shows at Perth’s Optus Stadium on December 4 and 8.

The tour will wrap up at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on December 14 and 18.