Hillsong Church has been ordered by NSW Health to stop singing and dancing at their Youth Summer Camp, which is currently being held in Newcastle.
The Hillsong festival has ruffled feathers across the music industry, as footage emerged of punters dancing, singing and almost raving to live music.
Nobody was seen wearing masks as hundreds of 15-17 year olds partied to tracks like Turn Down For What by DJ Snake & Lil Wayne. Hardly a secular affair.
Ball Park Music tweeted, "This Hillsong shit is super fucked, unbelievably cringe for starters and just heartbreaking for everyone in our industry but the worst part is, who’s surprised? Yuck."
Wow. Love to post festival and gig postponements and cancelations while this is allowed to happen coz hillsong etc… https://t.co/hXDJdYOVV8 pic.twitter.com/HlXtAzMn8x
— Lindsay McDowens (@doctormcdougall) January 13, 2022
In a statement to the ABC, Hillsong stated, "Outdoor Christian services are held during the camp but these are only a small part of the program, and any singing is only a small part of each service.”
Despite their attempts to sweep a music festival under the carpet, NSW Health has ordered Hillsong to stop singing and dancing.
“Singing and dancing at a major recreational facility is in breach of the public health order,” said health minister Brad Hazzard.
"While the order does not apply to religious services, it does apply to major recreation facilities and this event is clearly in breach of both the spirit and intent of the order, which is in place to help keep the community safe.”
The public health order which bans singing and dancing in indoor and outdoor settings will be imposed until the 27th of January.
I can handle the singing, the dancing, and the no mask wearing at this Hillsong festival last night, even though it’s illegal for the entire arts industry to do the same. But playing“turn down for what” in 2022?! Too far. pic.twitter.com/byOWufUaWa
— Illy (@illyal) January 13, 2022
