CONTENT WARNING: The following article discusses sexual assault.
The Smith Street Band have cancelled a show on their tour after a punter was allegedly arrested for “groping” at the band’s under 18s show in Hawthorn.
Frontman Wil Wagner took to Facebook following the incident to let fans know that their scheduled performance in Castlemaine last night was cancelled.
“At the moment I feel like I never want to play a show again,” he wrote.
He explained that the band’s show in Hawthorn “felt lovely and wholesome and special” until he found out what had occurred afterwards.
“Then after I found out someone groped someone in the crowd and was apprehended and arrested,” he wrote.
He continued, “I guess the point of saying this, and I’m aware of how selfish and self absorbed this sounds because I am clearly not the victim in this situation, is after ten years it feels like every fight in the crowd, every groping, every one of these fucking bullshit “incidents” stacks up on my conscience creating a weight I am now unable to carry.”
Wagner now believes, “it might be a while before I feel comfortable on stage again.”
“I know I’m essentially making other people’s trauma about me but this is something I’ve long had need to express. I guess I just need you all to know that I’m angry and I care. And I’m sorry.”
Smith Street Band still have one show of the tour left in Thornbury this Friday night. At this stage the gig is still going ahead.
If you need assistance, 1800 RESPECT – the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service — can be reached on 1800 737 732.
