‘Are you kidding me’: Tenacious D gig canned
Written by admin on July 16, 2024
Fans have been left fuming after the latest Tenacious D concert was postponed hours before kicking off, as the band faces extreme backlash over a comment about President Trump’s attempted assassination.
Frontier Touring confirmed the Newcastle performance was postponed about 3.30pm on Tuesday.
The show was scheduled for 7pm at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre as part of a six-show national tour.
Hundreds of fans flooded social media sharing their outrage about the short notice on postponing after the news broke.
“Are you kidding me. We drove hours had fights with our accommodation and a couple hours notice cancellation,” one person wrote.
Another added: “Need to let us know what’s happening with the other cities ASAP, people are planning to catch planes and need this (information) soon if it’s cancelled”.
“This is so devastating. I can’t believe this is the reaction to satire from a comedy band. Our country is broken,” another said.
“So many snowflakes,” another user wrote.
The shock news comes after the band, made up of actors Jack Black and Kyle Gass, made international headlines following their Sydney gig on Sunday.
Gass told the audience his birthday wish was “don’t miss Trump next time” when Black brought out a cake at the ICC Sydney Theatre, one day after former President Donald Trump survived an attempted assassination in Pennsylvania, US.
The comment was met with mostly with laughter and cheers from the 9000-strong crowd attending the second night of the tour.
But that reaction has sparked anger both in Australia and overseas, with United Australia Senator Ralph Babet calling for the band to be immediately deported.
Senator Babet said the comment was a “call to political violence” and should also be condemned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“To advocate and or wish for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and not acceptable in any way, shape or
form,” he said.
“Allowing Tenacious D to remain in Australia after calling for the death of a President is unthinkable, and it affirms the weakness of our current Prime Minister.”
Kyle Sandilands also called out the band on the Kyle and Jackie O show on Tuesday, stating they were now “banned for life” from his radio show.
“That’s really surprising. See, those two seem like normal people, not unhinged lunatics,” he said.
“A note to our talent bookers. I will not be participating in any future Tenacious D interviews.
“Someone wishing someone dead, that nearly got assassinated. All jokes aside, that’s too much for me.”
The clip, which is now going viral online, also sparked outrage among American Republicans.
Political activist Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, said the video was shameful.
“These people are more twisted and vile than we realised. And shame on all of the people in the crowd who thought this ‘joke’ was funny,” he wrote.
But one person who attended the Sydney show where Gass’ comment sparked outrage said they were confused why there had been such backlash.
“Plenty of other people have said plenty worse and been allowed here,” they said.
“No one in my surroundings or when leaving were upset about what he said.”
Another person said the announcement the show was postponed was “devastating”.
“I can’t believe this is the reaction to satire from a comedy band. Our country is broken,” the wrote.
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Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available.
The Spicy Meatball Tour is scheduled to play next at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Thursday.
Frontier Touring confirmed no further statement will be made at this time.
