Aussie rock band Amyl and the Sniffers have spoken out against disturbing fan behaviour after multiple women reported being groped at their Brisbane concert.
The band played The Tivoli in Fortitude Valley on 31 January as part of their Cartoon Darkness World Tour, but for some fans, the night turned sour.
Fan Share Their Experiences
Ameya Jaurigue, 20, was one of several women who said they were harassed by male concertgoers. What started as an exciting night quickly became an uncomfortable and distressing experience.
Jaurigue explained that attending a concert by an artist she deeply admired—one known for championing strong values and empowering lyrics—should have been a positive experience. Instead, she felt powerless when some men in the crowd disregarded everything the band stood for.
She described feeling “extremely humiliated and vulnerable,” adding that the experience made her realise “just how misogynistic the world is.”
Amyl and the Sniffers’ Lead Singer’s Response
Lead singer Amy Taylor didn’t hold back when addressing the issue. She reached out to Jaurigue privately and took to Instagram to call out the behaviour.
Taylor described the incident as “so f***ed up” and praised the victims for their bravery.
She reiterated that no one should touch others without consent and made it clear that their concerts are not a place for harassment or assault. Taylor also urged on male fans to support women in the crowd and hold others accountable.
The Tivoli Responds
The Tivoli’s Creative Director, Dave Sleswick, said he was devastated by the reports.
Sleswick said this kind of behaviour completely goes against the venue’s values, both as a business and as individuals. He assured that they are working closely with the victims to handle the situation with care and responsibility.
Women Speak Out
Since sharing her story, Jaurigue has received countless messages from other women who have had similar experiences at concerts.
Amyl and the Sniffers have made it clear that harassment has no place at their gigs. As conversations around safety at live music events continue, their message is simple—respect others or don’t come.
Published 11-Feb-2025
