Belle and Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch made the best out of a terrible situation on Thursday (17 September), hosting an intimate live music experience for fans after the band’s Perth show was suddenly cancelled.
Hours before the Scottish rockers were due to take the stage, Belle and Sebastian – and tour promoters Destroy All Lines – shared a statement on social media, saying their show at Perth’s Astor Theatre would no longer go ahead due to freight delays.
“We regret to advise that the Belle and Sebastian show scheduled tonight, Thursday 17th September at Astor Theatre Perth has been canceled,” a notice from Destroy All Lines read.
It continued, “This is due to freight delays from the East Coast affecting critical equipment for the show. We have contacted all ticket holders via SMS and email to advise them of their options, including full refunds if required.
“We were looking forward to a great first night in Perth, but despite exploring all potential solutions, we couldn't make it happen.”
Luckily, another Perth show – the first announced; last night’s was an extra show – is taking place tonight (18 September) at the Astor Theatre.
Murdoch wanted to do something special for fans after the show was cancelled. So, he invited fans to meet him at Langley Park for some music and conversation.
“Hi guys, Stuart here. Sorry about the news below. If anyone fancies it, we could meet up at 7pm at Langley Park, bottom of Hill Street,” he wrote on social media.
“I don’t know if anyone close by has a guitar, or any instrument really, we could chat and play a couple of tunes? Sorry again. If you have anything you wanna sign we could do that. I was in the park last night, it was nice under the stars!”
He also shared a screenshot from Apple Maps and drew an “X” on the location he invited fans to meet. A few hours later, he posted a photo of himself gathered with a group of fans at Langley Park.
“We did it! Well done everyone, that was fun,” Murdoch wrote.
On X (formerly known as Twitter), he added, “Thanks to everyone who came down to Langley Park, it was so nice to meet you and play a few songs, and I’m so glad there was two guitars, it’s always more fun with Jackson.”
Belle and Sebastian conclude their Australian tour in Perth tonight. Tickets are sold out.
During this run, they’ve been celebrating the 30th anniversary of their beloved album, If You’re Feeling Sinister, playing it in its entirety, along with a selection of fan favourites.
If anyone fancies it, we could meet up at 7pm at Langley Park. I don’t know if anyone close by has a guitar, we could chat and play a couple of tunes? Sorry again. If you have anything you wanna sign we could do that. I was in the park last night, it was nice under the stars! pic.twitter.com/78Rpgkj0OF
— stuart murdoch (@nee_massey) September 17, 2026
Thanks to everyone who came down to Langley Park, it was so nice to meet you and play a few songs, and I’m so glad there was two guitars, it’s always more fun with Jackson 😁 pic.twitter.com/IGv3FsY9mK
— stuart murdoch (@nee_massey) September 17, 2026
