A Cronulla live music venue has come under fire from bands and punters alike after a planned Australian Music Week showcase featuring several local bands was cancelled, with owners citing fears the show would breach noise limits.
As Music Feeds reports, Sting Bar was set to host an AMW showcase with seven local bands, but took to their official Facebook page to announce they would be cancelling the gig, fearing “noise polution [sic] of the bands”.
Several of the bands who were set to take part in the showcase took to their respective Facebook pages to vent their dissatisfaction with the move, criticising Sting Bar’s decision to replace the bands with a lineup of DJs.
“Our Australian Music Week industry showcase tonight has been canned due to a typically Australian stance on live music,” wrote The Ruckus on their Facebook page. “Apparently Sting Bar Cronulla would prefer the company of DJ’s and have decided to cancel all bands last minute.”
Fellow Sydney outfit The Lockhearts echoed that sentiment: “Sorry to say we’ve withdrawn from Australian Music Week and will no longer be playing Sting Bar tonight due to the venue’s lack of support for any live music louder than a ukulele band, returning to their former glory with the finest dingers and DJs the shire has to offer.”
Responding to The Lockhearts’ post, venue management explained their decision, insisting the showcase should not have been held at Sting Bar in the first place, considering the noise restrictions imposed on the space.
“We told [Australian Music Week organisers] they had to run everything through out System. The system they put in was just way over the top. If council came past and took a noise reading it was a breach of our licence. We all know you’re upset. But we just couldn’t risk it,” they wrote.
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Production issues also halted a planned appearance by Tuka and Mind Over Matter at Northies Cronulla Hotel, with Australian Music Week organisers blaming “the venue being unable to meet production requirements”.
While the Sting Bar showcase was eventually moved to Miranda venue Sweaty Betty’s, that didn’t stop disappointed fans from taking to the venue’s Facebook event page and leaving tongue-in-cheek stabs about the cancellation.
“I am so ready for polite conversation and light musical accompaniment, matching but not exceeding speaking volume,” wrote Brendan Sloan, to which The Ruckus replied “well played”. Meanwhile, another commenter simply asked, “Should I bring earplugs?”
