Illy Stops Show After Being Hit By Glass

Nationally renowned hip-hop luminary Illy was forced to stop a show a few songs into his set after a glass was thrown at — and hit — him on-stage in Traralgon at the weekend.

"I got to Traralgon hours before the show, warmed up, went on, got 5 songs in. As usual," the rapper posted on Facebook. "Then someone threw a glass that hit me about an inch under my eye. At that point, I ended the show."

Discuss the incident on social media yesterday evening, Illy took pains to acknowledge the general good fortune he enjoys through being able to do what he loves for a living — but that he could not abide such behaviour at his shows.

"I'm lucky enough that I get to do what I love for a living. I never lose sight of that," the Tightrope scribe and spitsmith wrote. "If you follow me on here you should know, and not in some bullshit 'thank the stars and moon' pseudo hippie way, but in a genuine, real world way, that I'm thankful as fuck to the people who support me. I do as much as I can to pay that support back.

"But bottom line, I owe basic respect to myself, and to the people I share a stage with. They're fam. There has to be a zero tolerance for that shit. If me or my crew get hurt and have to cancel shows, there's a group of people I'm responsible for who are directly effected. It's bigger than just me. We're on stage to smash, but not at the expense of personal safety."

Illy went on to express genuine sadness for everyone who had paid for tickets, accommodation, and so forth, to have had to lose out because of "one fuckwit". He is consequently trying to organise a rescheduled gig — with previous tickets remaining valid for no extra cost — for the shafted punters, though that development is far from concrete at this stage.

"The vast majority get exactly where I'm coming from, and reading comments from people who've driven ages to be there, paid for hotels etc really fucks with me," Illy lamented. "I apologize to you guys, and everyone who missed out because of one fuckwit. It takes a lot for me to not put you guys first, but this was one of those times. In fact, it's the first time in my music career.

"Anyway, Traralgon I've got bulk love for you. This doesn't reflect badly on the rest of you. So, we are already trying to reschedule a Traralgon show with the venue, that your tickets from last night will be valid for at no extra cost. From my side of it, I'm pushing for that. I know if it happens it's a bit of a mission for some, but it's the best I can do. Will keep you posted."

You can read his full post below.

Illy has another run of regional dates as part of his tour of rural Australia next month before he returns to the big smoke for his eagerly awaited One For The Cities tour.

See the Gig Guide or check The Music App for more information.