Fremantle Curfew Cuts Lauryn Hill Gig Short

26 May 2014 | 5:00 pm | Staff Writer

The show was over just after 10pm

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Another curfew in Western Australia has forced a show to end early, with Ms. Lauryn Hill's gig at Fremantle Arts Centre this past weekend cut short after the neo-soul singer came on stage an hour late.

The Saturday night show ended just after 10pm in accordance with the outdoor venue's agreement with the tour promoters and compliance with the local community, which is a residential area. In a statement released by the venue, they said that this was the first time an artist had ignored the curfew restrictions. 

“Last night's Ms. Lauryn Hill concert at Fremantle Arts Centre was ended just after 10pm in line with the venue's noise curfew. This was done by the Arts Centre in agreement with the promoters of last night's concert.

“The artist chose to arrive on stage just after 8:30pm, an hour after the agreed start time. The event's promoters made the artist aware of the curfew requirements and unfortunately Ms. Hill chose not to arrive on stage or finish at the agreed time. FAC has hosted many concerts over the past six years and this is the first time the artist has ignored the curfew. Despite this, we hope audiences enjoyed Ms. Hill's hour and a half show. “

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“Fremantle Arts Centre regrets these circumstances but we are an outdoor venue in a residential area and as such we have a responsibility to our neighbours, with whom we have built a strong relationship over many years.”

Hill was also an hour late on stage at her Melbourne show at Palais Theatre last week, although again, it didn't seem to take away much from her actual performance with The Music's Bryget Chrisfield saying “any tense atmosphere” from the late start “dispersed” after her stellar show.

This follows on from another WA curfew incident that occurred recently, with punk rock outfit Unwritten Law taking matters into their own hands after their Hits & Pits set at Perth's Capitol was cut shot the other week.