Australian band Amyl and the Sniffers turned a last-minute cancellation of their Melbourne concert into an opportunity for fans to enjoy a vibrant bar crawl funded by the band. Originally scheduled to perform a free show on November 14, 2023, at Federation Square, the event was abruptly called off due to concerns over overcrowding and breaches of safety perimeters, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
As thousands of eager fans gathered to watch the Grammy-nominated band, the announcement of the cancellation came over loudspeakers, leaving many disappointed. Katrina Sedgwick, chief executive of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, confirmed that the decision was made reluctantly due to the high risk of crowd-related incidents. “Fed Square was forced to cancel Amyl and The Sniffers’ show after multiple breaches of the perimeter fences caused a very high risk of crowd crushes,” she stated.
In response to the cancellation, the band quickly took to social media, determined to ensure their fans still had a memorable evening. They proposed an exciting alternative: a fully funded bar crawl with a generous $35,000 tab available at seven local pubs. “We’re so f–king sorry that we couldn’t play… It sucks to not be able to play in our hometown for free,” said frontwoman Amy Taylor in an Instagram video. She encouraged fans to “have a drink on us, in an AC/DC fashion,” urging them to enjoy the night.
Local establishments, including The Tote, The Curtin, The Old Bar, Labour in Vain, Hell’s Kitchen, Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar, and Cherry Bar, each received $5,000 to cover the expenses. The announcement led to a surge of enthusiastic patrons, with many bars reporting packed rooms, long queues, and the bar tab running out within hours.
This unique bar crawl marks a significant year for Amyl and the Sniffers, who are currently opening for AC/DC on their world tour. Their recent album, Cartoon Darkness, reached number two on Australia’s ARIA Albums Chart and made its way into the UK top 10. The band also celebrated a sold-out performance at London’s Alexandra Palace, which has a capacity of 10,000.
As they continue to make waves in the music industry, the band remains nominated for a Grammy in the competitive Best Rock Performance category for their song “U Should Not Be Doing That.” Through their innovative response to the concert cancellation, Amyl and the Sniffers not only engaged their loyal fan base but also showcased a spirit of community and resilience that resonates widely in the music scene.
