If You Jump The Fence At This Perth Music Festival, You're Gonna Have A Bad Time

Nobody likes a fence-jumper.

In fact, we're not even sure that fence-jumpers like themselves. It's a pretty big dick move, and it only makes things tougher for festivals, punters, security and pretty much everyone else involved. If you're a fence-jumper and you're unaware of those facts, perhaps you should take a long, hard look at your history of shameless fuckery and then never go outside again.

That said, Arcadia Australia might have gone just a bit "hardcore militant" on the ticket-averse with its new zero-tolerance policy on skirting the entrance.

(Although, don't all festivals already kind of have a zero-tolerance policy on this? Pretty rare for people found without tickets to be allowed to stay, but we digress.)

Yep, the Perth-based event — which kicks off this weekend, along with its giant-ass fire-breathing spider — has unveiled a… shall we say… comprehensive list of measures it's taking to deter people on the street from taking a gamble on illegitimate entry.

It all starts off pretty normal, with the festival's promoters, The Event Agency, promising to "proactively increase fence-jumping barriers at Arcadia Australia to prevent this criminal activity, and will call upon a strong police and security presence to deter antisocial behaviour".

That's all more than fair — gotta look out for your paying customers. Respect.

Then:

"In addition to this, a two-storey-high sea container wall will be erected along The Esplanade road front instead of fencing, to create an impenetrable barrier."

Emphasis ours, obviously. Um, question from the back: Does that not seem… excessive? A little… Fortress Arcadia Australia?

Well, it's not excessive enough, as it turns out, because The Event Agency isn't done:

"A new type of non-drying lubricant ink will be trialled along double fence lines to create a non-grip slippery surface that temporarily stains hands and clothing for up to three weeks, making it easier to identify any trespassers who breach the perimeter fence."

Holy shit. No. Yes. This is incredible. Does this festival have an actual, dedicated budget for these initiatives? An anti-fence-jumping task force? Non-drying ink. That is phenomenal.

You might be excused for thinking this is all a bit of an elaborate over-sell to properly quash the dreams of any citizens of ill repute about legging it for the sky, but it would seem that Nikki Graski, The Event Agency's managing director, is not even in the vicinity of remotely screwing around with this.

"Fence-jumpers display aggressive criminal behaviours are disruptive and inconsiderate to everyone who has bought a ticket," Graski said in a statement. "Attitudes towards staff have become disrespectful and dangerous and over time it will also increasingly harm Perth's reputation, as a place to hold major outdoor events and that will affect the vibrancy of our entertainment scene.
 
"I would encourage all West Australians to consider what this unsafe behaviour means for the future of events in Western Australia. If it continues, it will deter event promoters and the incredible events in this state will cease."

Graski went on to explain that, in addition to the short-term solutions being implemented at Arcadia Australia, The Event Agency "is lobbying for long-term legislative change to deter fence-jumping activity".

"The proposed change will need to include on-the-spot fines and criminal charges, as well as a paid police presence at events," she said. "Both these strategies have had great success on the east coast, and are becoming a much-needed addition in WA event planning."

Arcadia Australia will be held this weekend, from 25-27 November, at Elizabeth Quay, featuring appearances from Leftfield (DJ set), Shy FX, Loston, Alison Wonderland (DJ set), Carmada, Elk Road, Mashd N Kutcher and more.

For further information, see the event's website.