Police Take To Stage At Sydney Opera House; Bring Royal Headache Show To A Halt

Last night's Repressed Records showcase at the Sydney Opera House was brought to a dramatic standstill when police stormed the stage.

The incident took place during a set by local band Royal Headache as a part of the Vivid Live programme.

What had been heralded as a triumphant hometown return for the band was marred by the abrupt actions of police and security.

Witnesses say that the incident happened after the band launched into fan favourite Down The Lane and some punters who had been dancing in the aisles at the front of the stage began to clamber onto the stage.

The scene was described as "just an outpouring of excitement and emotion" while singer Shogun even handed the mic over to a fan who completed the song's vocals.

At around this point another fan was seen climbing briefly onto the kick drum — but one punter described this as a "minor indiscretion — nothing seemed to have been damaged or seriously impacted".

Fans began to disperse as the song concluded but as Royal Headache launched into Girls, another solid favourite, a larger crowd assembled on stage. 

This led to police and security rushing the stage as the crowd grew "rowdier" and a few empty water bottles were thrown.

One fan said that as the police moved in en masse the mood in the room shifted from joyous to ugly.

"No one was trashing anything or hurting anyone, it was just like a normal Royal Headache gig," offered fan and eyewitness Michelle Padovan.

Shogun was then heard trying to get the band off stage. A witness reports he yelled into the mic, "Thank you and goodnight, I don't want to see my friends punched in the head by a bunch of fucking pigs. Take it easy."

As Shogun moved to add more he was seen being warned off the mic by security, and a few minutes of uncertainty ensued where there was a standoff.

The crowd began chanting, "Let them play!" as the police and security conferred while the band huddled together a few metres away.

Eventually the band were allowed to complete their (albeit shortened) set with their trademark cover of Womack & Womack's Teardrops. 

Watch footage of the drama unfold in full: