Federation Square Concert Cancelled After Security Breach, Urgent Review Launched
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A free concert by Australian punk band Amyl and the Sniffers was abruptly cancelled Friday night at Federation Square in Melbourne after hundreds of attendees breached security fencing, creating an immediate risk of a crowd crush as the reason for halting the event, which was underway with a performance by the band Public Figures.
Safety Concerns Prompt Immediate Action
According to a statement from the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, the decision to cancel the concert was not made lightly. “I’m really relieved we’re here today talking about the cancellation of a concert and not about people being hurt,” a senior official stated. The core concern, they explained, was the escalating breach of security fencing. “The important thing to do when you’re making a decision like this is not to wait until people are getting crushed. As soon as you understand that there are people coming through gaps in the fence – which had literally been smashed through – that’s the time to act.”
the incident unfolded as the venue reached capacity, with hundreds of fans gathering outside the security barriers. Witnesses reported individuals actively pushing down sections of the fencing, creating multiple points of entry. “Sadly… a large group of people outside the perimeter of the square who, despite it being clearly closed, took it upon themselves to damage the fencing and force their way in,” the official added.
Enhanced Security Measures Already in Place
Despite the breach, the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation maintains that the security fencing utilized was appropriate for the event and represents an upgrade from previous deployments. The current fencing is designed to be more robust, being embedded in the ground and constructed of steel – a direct response to security incidents at the FIFA Women’s world Cup screenings in 2023, where fans similarly overwhelmed security. “This new fencing is directly in response to that – the fencing is embedded in the ground, it’s steel,” the official confirmed. “We did a lot of research to ensure that was the appropriate fencing.”
However, the sheer volume of individuals attempting to force entry ultimately overwhelmed the security measures. The corporation emphasized that the issue wasn’t the fencing itself, but the deliberate actions of those attempting to bypass security.
Band Offers Compensation, Police Investigate
Following the cancellation, Amyl and the Sniffers reportedly offered a gesture of goodwill, putting $5,000 worth of free drinks behind the bar at seven live music venues across Melbourne. This equates to approximately $35,000 in total.
Victoria Police responded to the scene around 8:15 PM to assist security personnel, but reported no offences were detected. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush indicated that the police are reviewing their response to the incident. “It was a concern; I think there was risk to public safety so we’re obviously reviewing how that went,” he stated.
Victoria’s Police Minister Anthony Carbines affirmed that cancelling the concert was the correct course of action. “We understand that there can be frustration from people who are there to have a great night and the night gets cancelled for safety reasons,but we have to leave that to the safety experts and victoria Police to review and provide advice,” he said. “There’s no excuse for bad behavior and it was clearly a dynamic situation.”
Not Blaming the Fanbase
Despite the disruptive actions of some attendees, the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation was careful to avoid assigning blame to the Amyl and the Sniffers fanbase. “It’s not about a particular crowd, it’s about some people in that crowd having a sense of entitlement that because it was free… they should be able to be in even though it’s shut,” the official explained. “That’s poor behaviour – I don’t think that’s about a particular band or a particular fan base.”
Popular acts such as Robbie Williams and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have previously performed free shows at federation Square without similar incidents. The ongoing review will aim to identify preventative measures to ensure the safety and security of future events at the venue.
