Aussie Band ‘Stuck’ In Hotel As Storm Pounds America

As the monster storm Sandy causes havoc on America's Eastern Seaboard, the region has come to a veritable standstill while the rest of the nation is pausing as it watches the damage unfold.

South Australia's Atlas Genius, who are nearing the end of their American tour (they've been keeping a tour blog here) cancelled last night's show and are currently waiting out the storm in a hotel room. The band's Keith Jeffery told theMusic.com.au today that they have been, “Hearing reports for the past week about a hurricane that had formed in the Bahamas. As we heard more details it became apparent that our tour path was going to take us straight into Sandy's reach. We have a bunch of tour dates with Wolfgang & The Royal Concept in the east of America that we have been really excited about. Everyone in the touring party thought we would find a way of continuing without missing a show, but yesterday it started to get very real indeed.

“After leaving Washington, D.C. on Sunday the weather quickly deteriorated in front of us as we travelled towards Philadelphia. Radio reports warned of intense rain and wind. The promoter contacted us to say the show was cancelled. We chose a hotel in Harrisburg, PA to sit out the storm. There was a strong sense of concern in the local supermarkets. Water and food was becoming quite scarce.

“So far we've spent the last two days hunkered down in a hotel watching the weather channel. It's looking like the next few shows in NYC will also be cancelled. We currently have intermittent power and no television service. The worst of the storm will hit us later tonight. It's an interesting time to be in the East coast of America.”

Australian DJ Havana Brown is also 'stuck' without power in a hotel in New York, and has tweeted to fans that she's safe.

Fellow Australian Xavier Rudd also postponed a show, posting: “Due to safety warnings issued by the Mayor and the closing of the subways due to Hurricane Sandy, we have been forced to postpone tonight's show at the Irving Plaza. Please hod onto your tickets while we reschedule – more to come soon.”

According to Pollstar Joshua Radin, Journey, Brandi Carlile, Idina Menzel, Bela Fleck and Aimee Mann either cancelled or postponed shows, while Pitchfork report that John Legend, Swans, Devendra Banhart and more have taken similar actions. Venues in New York City are closed tonight and will be waiting to gauge the damage tomorrow.

Given the scope of the storm's damage, with millions of people without power and large portions of the transport system – particularly the Subway – crippled by flooding it will be a waiting game for the region's live music scene. When light returns tomorrow morning (tonight Australian time) stakeholders will have a better idea of plans in the immediate future.

Our NY, Philly, and Baltimore shows with the xx are cancelled from the storm. Anyone with tix, stay tuned to @youngturksrec for rescheduling

— CHAIRLIFT (@Chairlifted) October 28, 2012

I am safe, in a great hotel....Power throughout the city has shut down.#hurricaneSandy

— Havana Brown (@djhavanabrown) October 30, 2012

Wandering the streets of NYC is epic right now. Getting prepped to hunker down!

— sia furler (@siamusic) October 29, 2012