A highly anticipated concert by Amyl and The Sniffers at Federation Square in Melbourne was abruptly cancelled on the night of March 15, 2024, due to safety concerns. Just moments before the band was set to take the stage, organizers pulled the plug after multiple breaches of security fences created a significant risk of crowd crushes.
The free show was expected to draw a massive crowd, but the event was halted when safety protocols could not be guaranteed. In an official statement, the organizers expressed regret, stating, “It was unsafe for the show to continue. We did not take this decision lightly and are deeply sorry for any disappointment caused.”
A representative from Federation Square addressed the frustrated audience, acknowledging their disappointment and emphasizing the necessity of the decision. “I know what we all want is Amyl, and Amyl’s incredibly disappointed at not playing,” they said. “But tonight we’ve had a whole lot of breaches for our fences, repeatedly. Unfortunately, that means we just can’t go on.”
As tensions escalated, Victoria Police were called to the scene around 20:15. Officers were informed that a large group was attempting to enter the venue despite the cancellation. Fortunately, no offences were detected.
Following the cancellation, Amy Taylor, the band’s charismatic frontwoman, took to Instagram to voice her frustration. In an emotional post, she stated, “We’re backstage, we literally would have loved to play, we’re devastated. The fucking fences got crushed in, too many people, fucking cops shut it down. We’re pissed as fuck, and we’re just really apologetic and so sorry.”
In a surprising twist, the band turned a disappointing situation into a gesture of goodwill. Shortly after the cancellation, they announced a generous offer for fans, dropping $5,000 tabs at seven popular pubs around Melbourne, including Last Chance, The Tote, and Hell’s Kitchen, encouraging fans to enjoy a drink on them.
“We did genuinely feel really bad, like from the gut,” Amy shared in a follow-up video. “It sucks to not be able to play in our hometown for free… We just can’t have that. We don’t want anyone having a shit time.”
In her signature style, Taylor ended her posts with a humorous note about her plans for the evening, indicating she would be getting “blackout drunk somewhere in mourning.”
While the concert cancellation marked a disappointing night for many, Amyl and The Sniffers ensured that their fans did not leave empty-handed, demonstrating their commitment to their audience and community.
