Hot Dub On Shut Down Syd Gig: 'No One Should Ever Be Hurt, Intimidated Or Discriminated'

Hot Dub Time Machine has spoken out in length about his Sydney show which was shut down by police on Saturday night, due to riots outside the venue. 

In a statement posted to his official Facebook page, Hot Dub (real name Tom Lowndes), confirmed reports that riot police shut the Enmore Theatre gig down just after 10pm.

"I tried to play one last song but the police appeared at side of stage and it was clear that I had to stop," Lowndes' statement reads.

"The police were polite and professional towards me. I got on the mic and told everyone to be cool, warning them of the large police presence outside the building and to be safe. Me and all my crew were extremely upset." 

Lowndes' post goes on to address reports that the riots outside the Enmore were started by underage punters. 

"It's clear that there were a large amount of intoxicated young people in and outside the venue. A large number of which were refused entry. Some of them were aggressive. There were reports of disturbances by the local residents.

"The police were called by the Enmore to help out, and they got a court order and shut it down. Which is the first time in the long history of the Enmore Theatre that has happened.

"While it is clear that a large group of young people chose Hot Dub as their 'schoolies' destination and turned up highly intoxicated, they were a small minority of young people at the show, and a tiny proportion of the always positive hot dubbers dancing and singing their way through time. So it's shame the show had to stop.

"However, safety is super important to me and everyone involved in the show. No one should ever be hurt, intimidated or discriminated against at a Hot Dub Time Machine show. So I respect the Police's decision."

While he refused to blame his underage fans for the incident, Lowndes announced that he will no longer perform at all-ages shows.

"Some have been quick to blame the 'underagers' and I think that is a bit unfair.

"I've done 2 other all-ages Enmore shows in Sydney, and 4 at the equivalent size Thebarton Theatre in Adelaide, all sold-out and we’ve never had even remotely a problem. Nevertheless, unfortunately that has to stop. It creates too much trouble for the venues.

"Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage people to think twice before they act like dickheads," the statement concludes.

"I think that people have to realise that their actions at a legendary venue like the Enmore have ramifications.

"In the current political climate, if you turn up drunk, act violently, or just generally be a dickhead, you run a real risk of having the show shut down and a venue being closed forever. And venues like the Enmore are too important for that. They are already under siege from residents, councils and hugely powerful political forces, they don't need this shit.

"So please, rally behind the Enmore and Sydney's live music scene. It needs you. Come have a boogie. And if you have a friend being a dickhead, tell them to stop."

Lowndes confirmed that his second show at the Enmore will go ahead this Saturday, though no more underage tickets will be sold. 

Check out the full statement below.