Melbourne’s Federation Square descended into pandemonium on Friday night as an Amyl and the Sniffers concert collapsed under the weight of its own popularity. Security barriers buckled, fences gave way, and organisers pulled the plug just moments before the band was set to take the stage.
The free show, scheduled between the punk rockers’ support slots for AC/DC’s Power Up tour, attracted far more fans than the venue could safely handle.
When Good Intentions Meet Overwhelming Demand
The trouble started building well before Amyl and the Sniffers were due to perform. Support act Public Figures had just wrapped their set when the situation spiralled out of control.
Fed Square’s Instagram account had been posting constant updates throughout the evening, warning fans the venue was at capacity. But the messages couldn’t stem the tide of people desperate to catch one of Australia’s most explosive live acts.
Witnesses on the ground reported seeing sections of perimeter fencing collapse as crowds pushed forward. Video footage captured fans spilling through gaps in the barriers while security struggled to maintain control.
“The front of the crowd pushed heavily against the barricades and security struggled to contain the movement,” one journalist at the scene reported.
Amyl and The Sniffers official poster
Official Response: Safety First
Katrina Sedgwick, MAP Co Director and CEO, issued a statement to Rolling Stone Australia explaining the decision.
“Unfortunately this evening, 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 said.
“It was unsafe for the audience, the staff and the band to continue with the show. We did not make the decision lightly and we are deeply, deeply sorry for any disappointment caused by this situation.”
Key factors behind the cancellation:
- Multiple fence breaches creating crush risks
- Over 6,000 people reportedly attempting to enter
- Security unable to maintain crowd control
- Venue capacity overwhelmed before headline act
Band’s Frustration Spills Over
Backstage and ready to perform, Amyl and the Sniffers took to Instagram to express their devastation. The posts dripped with raw emotion and colourful language befitting their punk rock credentials.
“At Fed Square and fuming – ready to go! We are so sorry the show is cancelled due to the event not organising the proper security and barriers,” the band posted.
Lead singer Amy Taylor didn’t mince words in a video message to disappointed fans. “We’re backstage, we would have loved to play. We’re devastated, the fucking fences got crushed in,” she said.
“Too many people, fucking cops shut it down, pissed as fuck. We would have really loved to play, we were really looking forward to this.”
The band’s frustration was palpable. They’d been primed and ready, instruments tuned, adrenaline flowing. Then nothing.
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A Classy Gesture in the Aftermath
Rather than simply apologising, Amyl and the Sniffers put their money where their mouth is. The band redirected their performance fee into a AUD 5,000 bar tab spread across seven iconic Melbourne music venues.
The beneficiaries included:
- The Last Chance Rock And Roll Bar
- The Tote
- Labor In Vain
- Hell’s Kitchen
- The Curtin
- Cherry Bar
- The Old Bar
“What we’re doing is using our fee to go back to some local venues,” Taylor told fans. “So have a drink on us, AC/DC fashion.”
Context: Riding High with AC/DC
The cancelled Fed Square performance sat between two massive gigs supporting AC/DC at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The band opened for the rock legends on 13 November and were scheduled for another MCG show on 16 November.
This wasn’t just any support slot. AC/DC’s Power Up Australian tour represents one of the biggest rock events in the country’s recent history. Being tapped as main support showcases how far Amyl and the Sniffers have come.
The free Fed Square show was positioned as a celebration of AC/DC’s arrival in Melbourne, with Public Figures performing AC/DC covers alongside their own material before Amyl and the Sniffers took over.
From Balaclava to Global Stages
Formed in Melbourne’s Balaclava suburb in 2016, Amyl and the Sniffers have experienced a meteoric rise. Amy Taylor (vocals), Bryce Wilson (drums), Dec Mehrtens (guitar) and Gus Romer (bass) went from backyard jam sessions to conquering the world’s biggest stages.
Their third album, Cartoon Darkness, has earned widespread critical acclaim and multiple awards. The band secured sold-out tours across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and South America.
Festival appearances at Glastonbury and Coachella cemented their status. They recently earned their first Grammy nomination for Best Rock Act.
Lessons in Event Management
Fed Square has successfully hosted major outdoor concerts throughout 2025, including performances by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, and Robbie Williams. The venue’s track record made Friday’s chaos particularly surprising.
Industry observers noted several factors that may have contributed:
- Last-minute announcement gave limited planning time
- Free entry removed natural crowd control mechanism
- Band’s explosive popularity underestimated
- Weekend timing maximised attendance
The venue’s spokesperson addressed disappointed fans directly. “You’ve been an amazing crowd. You’ve been respectful, you’ve been safe. But tonight we’ve had a whole lot of breaches for our fences. Repeatedly, and unfortunately, that means we just can’t go on.”
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What Happens Next
At this stage, there’s no word on whether the show will be rescheduled. The band continues their AC/DC support duties and will likely refocus on their own touring commitments.
For the thousands who travelled into Melbourne’s CBD hoping to catch one of Australia’s finest rock exports, Friday night delivered disappointment instead of musical catharsis. But the band’s gesture of redirecting their fee to local venues offered a silver lining.
As one fan summarised on social media: “Gutted we didn’t get to see them, but respect to Amyl for looking after the local scene.”
The Amyl and the Sniffers concert cancellation serves as a stark reminder that even the best intentions can’t overcome inadequate infrastructure and overwhelming demand. When thousands of passionate fans converge on a single location, safety must come first.
Amyl and the Sniffers have become one of Australia’s most explosive live acts
The incident also highlights the double-edged sword of social media promotion and free events. What seems like a generous gesture to fans can quickly transform into a logistical nightmare when demand exceeds capacity.
