Brian Jonestown Massacre brawl on stage during Melbourne show
Frontman Anton Newcombe brawled with Ryan Van Kriedt on stage in Melbourne.
By Nick Reilly
The Brian Jonestown Massacre stunned fans at a show in Melbourne yesterday, when members of the group began fighting among themselves on stage mid-show.
The show, their ninth of 12 planned dates across Australia and New Zealand, came to a sudden end after six songs when the fight broke out. In clips of the scuffle shared to social media, frontman and group founder Anton Newcombe is seen scrapping with guitarist Ryan Van Kriedt after asking him to leave the stage.
“Cut off this guy’s mic, put down my guitar, party’s over captain,” Newcombe said to Van Kriedt. He continued: “We actually don’t need you. Go. Put my guitar down on the stage and think about what’s happening.”
Van Kriedt hit back: “You better think about this one, man. Because this is forever!” before putting his guitar down and walking offstage.
The pair then began shoving each other, leading Newcombe to hit Van Kriedt over the head with a guitar.
As the pair began fighting at the front of the stage they dragged each other to the ground before being separated by security. Newcombe then attempted to get back on the mic, but was cut off. The venue’s safety curtains then dropped, signalling the end of the show.
As ABC News reports, the rest of the tour – which would have seen the group perform three more shows – has now been cancelled. The group are yet to comment on the incident.