The text messages that reveal the pandemonium behind a cancelled music festival

The promoters of an Anzac Day rock concert that had to move location after RSL NSW president Mick Bainbridge criticised it as inappropriate are seeking compensation from the NSW government.

Premier Chris Minns announced on January 31 that Pandemonium 2024, with headliners Alice Cooper and Blondie, could not go ahead in Sydney’s Domain on Anzac Day as advertised, following concerns raised by RSL NSW that it would interfere with the march.

Blondie performing at Pandemonium, Sydney Olympic Park, 2024.Credit: Edwina Pickles

Bainbridge had opined that Anzac Day was supposed to be about remembering fallen heroes, and it was disrespectful to mark the day with a music festival. The concert, promoted by Andrew McManus of Apex Entertainment, ultimately went ahead at Sydney Olympic Park.

Apex Entertainment lawyer Victoria-Jane Otavski said the company had suggested to the government a roundtable to “explore strategies for mitigating the impact on Apex Entertainment following the unexpected cancellation of the Pandemonium Concert at the Domain”.

The cancellation followed months of negotiations, and only after Apex had returned a signed copy of the final agreement by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, she said.

The Herald has seen text messages between Bainbridge and former RSL NSW chair Sophie Ray that indicate he agitated against the concert without consulting the board.

“It is understood the abrupt cancellation followed pressure from certain individuals and despite the fact that in producing the event, Apex Entertainment was supporting veteran charities, and enjoyed the endorsement of the federal minister for veterans affairs,” Otavski said.

“It was particularly disappointing to have the event at the Domain cancelled, especially after great care was taken to ensure no disruption would occur to the Anzac Day commemorations, aligning the concert’s start time with major sporting events scheduled for the same day.”

Bainbridge told the Herald he made no apologies for fulfilling his role as president.

“RSL has always, and will continue, to protect the sanctity of our most seminal day of the veteran calendar,” he said.

The Herald can also reveal Ray has alleged in an internal complaint to the chief executive that Bainbridge advocated for the concert to be shut down without consulting the board and that no formal position had been reached by the veterans’ organisation before Bainbridge raised it with Minns.

She was concerned about politicising RSL NSW and why the organisation would object to a rock concert but not the NRL Anzac Day game, for example. Bainbridge said the NRL game had been going on for years and there was an Anzac service at the start.

Bainbridge also allegedly resisted attempts by former Liberal leader Kerry Chikarovski, who was lobbying for the promoters, to discuss the issue. The promoters were giving $100,000 to veteran charities Legacy and Wounded Heroes, respectively, and the concert was not due to begin until several hours after the Anzac Day march finished.

But Bainbridge said in a text message to Ray on Australia Day that he had “decided to steer clear of her as she is only a lobbyist”.

The government had already decided the concert would not go ahead, and he was drafting a letter to Minns, he added. “Letter will firm up govt position for possible legal action,” he said.

Ray replied: “If you’re going to do anything formal in writing to the Premier … could you please, before you write the letter, bring this to the board? This is not a decision you have the power to make on your own: as president, you convey RSL NSW’s position on issues but you can’t unilaterally decide what that position is.”

Bainbridge asked her to stop sending messages to him on a public holiday. “I have spoken with the premier and things are sorted.”

The Botanic Gardens of Sydney said Apex Entertainment had approached it about the concert in mid-2023, but that it never counter-signed the agreement. “The promoter was advised that until and unless an agreement was signed, activities such as advertising would be at their own risk,” a spokesman said.

However, Apex Entertainment launched pre-sales marketing on January 22, announcing the Domain as the venue, he said.

“On January 25, Botanic Gardens of Sydney formally advised Apex in writing that the event could not take place in The Domain Sydney on Anzac Day and requested that Apex remove reference to The Domain prior to ticket sales commencing on January 29, 2024.”

Current RSL NSW chair Louise Sullivan said the board did not need to form a position on every matter addressed by the president.

“To be clear, the decision was not made by RSL NSW to move the Pandemonium music festival,” Sullivan said. “When Mick Bainbridge spoke in support of the decision that had been made by the Botanic Gardens of Sydney and reiterated that Anzac Day is not for sale, he did so within the guidelines set by the RSL NSW Charter.”