Federation Square boss defends security after crowd crush fears

“We are very sorry that so many fans were so disappointed, and we sincerely apologize to the devastated bands, but as I said, Fed Square will always put safety first,” Sedgwick said.

Despite the cancellation, Sedgwick said Federation Square, which hosted performances by major artists such as Robbie Williams and Kneecap this year, is still a suitable venue for free concerts.

“We didn’t expect hundreds of people to destroy property,” he said. “We are committed to being able to continue doing this [hosting free concerts]. “We won’t let last night spoil that, but we will have to review how we do it and there will be changes,” he said.

He also insisted that the security of the venue was adequate. Sedgwick did not disclose how many security guards were working at Federation Square for the event, but confirmed there were “dozens” and did not dispute the claim that about 50 security guards were present Friday night.

“When it was at capacity, we closed the square and it was surrounded by appropriate fencing and the appropriate level of security for this type of event. We had a very detailed plan.”

A number of previous concerts at the venue this year, including Kneecap, Caribou and punk rock band Eddy Current Suppression Ring last month, did not have security fencing in place on Friday night. In response to questions, a Federation Square spokesman said fencing was used “when a significant crowd is expected”, citing recent concerts by Robbie Williams, King Gizzard and Wizard Lizard.

Management did not respond to questions about why the fences were covered in opaque blue plastic, which obstructed the view of crowds outside the venue and was a major source of frustration for fans.

Sedgwick said security guards working to prevent fans from breaching the fences were subjected to aggression and inappropriate language.

Police Minister Anthony Carbines said he understood punters’ frustration but suggested Amyl and Sniffers was a game potentially too popular to play indoors.

“I think it’s a dynamic situation where a lot of people are there with a certain expectation and that fades away. But ultimately community safety and public safety has to be the number one call. That’s the call that the Federation Square administration made,” he said.

“[Federation Square is] “It’s a great area that we all love… we don’t want to lose that because sometimes certain popular events may not be fit for purpose, but we’ll let the experts give us some insight into it.”

Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush was asked about the incident on Saturday morning and confirmed there was a “risk to public safety.”

Bush said officers were called to Federation Square after reports of people “trying to access an event before it was cancelled” but no crime was detected.

He said police and the square’s management would meet to review footage of the incident and make an appeal to see whether free concerts would still be held in the square.

A spokesman for Federation Square confirmed on Saturday afternoon that the decision to cancel the event was made by “security teams and management” and not the police.

The Australian band, which has gained a huge fan base in recent years, was the opening act of AC/DC’s concert at the MCG on Wednesday night.

Following the cancellation, on social media, Amy Taylor, lead singer of Amyl and the Sniffers, said the event was canceled because “the fences were smashed and the cops closed it down”; this claim was later denied by Federation Square management.

“Smoky and ready to go,” he wrote, “we are very sorry that the show was canceled due to the event not arranging proper security. Overcoming obstacles caused them to feel it was unsafe to play.”

After canceling the show, the band announced that they would donate the concert fee to their fans “ACDC style” and imposed a $5000 bar fee at seven different venues in the city and north; The Tote, Last Chance Rock and Roll Bar, Labor in Vain, The Curtin Hotel, The Old Bar, Cherry Bar and Hells Kitchen are just a few hundred meters from Federation Square.

“We’re very sorry we can’t play. It sucks not being able to play for free in our own hometown,” Taylor said. A video posted to Instagram. “We are not following you.”

“Buy us a drink, we’re really sorry, we really wanted to play. I was throwing a tantrum like there was no tomorrow, you can’t imagine that.”

After the concert was canceled, Hells Kitchen owner Russell Tarbett said customers started “flying through the door.” He later realized he missed a call from singer Taylor.

“He left a voicemail at the bar saying there was $5,000,” Tarbett said. “It wasn’t real. I felt like Santa Claus.”

Tarbett said he was extremely grateful for Amyl’s support at a time when live music venues were struggling in Melbourne.

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“I don’t want to sound like a bleeding heart, but we’re struggling. I’m 61 now, if I had that kind of money I got when I was 40, I’d try to kick the bar, I’d collect it. The rent is so high… it’s very difficult and things like that, it puts a big smile on your face.”

Last Chance Rock & Roll owner Shane Hilton agreed. A long post on Instagram He said the group recently spent “15 minutes and a few phone calls” on music venues that were struggling more than anyone in local or state government.

Customers of the Cherry Bar in Little Collins were also “delighted by the generosity of the announcement”, owner James Young said. He said the calculation took about 45 minutes throughout the bar’s packed 260-seat room.

About six years ago, Young said, Amyl and the Sniffers would play a set on the bar stage at 2 a.m. for about $300 before they became a major force in the Australian music scene.

Crowds in Federation Square refused to leave the square for 45 minutes, booing and chanting “We want Amil” in defiance of loudspeaker announcements and calls from Sedgwick to leave the square herself.

Instead, young people in the crowd sang the band’s song loudly Security – a song about a punter being locked out of a gig – is instead repeated on portable speakers. They sang, formed a moshpit and crowd-surfed for an hour.

Amyl fans Meg Hill, Lyra Philp and Isabel Cook traveled from Apollo Bay for the concert and said they were disappointed that event staff failed to anticipate the size of the crowd.

“I think people overcame obstacles, but they should have foreseen this,” Philp said.

“It’s a free event, it’s a big group, what do they think?”