US rock band ends up in wild brawl during Melbourne show

A popular US rock band performing in Melbourne left audiences shocked after two members got into a wild fist fight on stage.

A popular American rock band who are currently touring Australia have left audiences shocked after getting into a violent fist fight in the middle of their show.

Two members of rock band The Brian Jonestown Massacre got into a wild brawl on stage during Tuesday night’s gig at The Forum in Melbourne’s CBD.

According to concert goers, a fist fight allegedly broke out between the San Francisco based band’s founder Anton Newcombe, who is known for his wild onstage antics, and the group’s guitarist Ryan Van Kriedt.

Two members of the band appeared to get into a fight. Picture: Instagram / @s6phiej9nes

Members of the audience were left shocked. Picture: Instagram / @s6phiej9nes

Shocking clips of the brawl have been uploaded to various social media platforms, which appear to show one band member pushing and punching another, before the other slams a guitar on his head.

The pair chase each other around the stage and end up in a violent wrestling match on the ground, before other band members manage to pull them off each other.

The venue ended the show abruptly by activating the safety curtain, which incited a barrage of “boos” from the crowd, who also began throwing drinks and objects on stage.

Fans on Reddit and Instagram stated that the band’s behaviour and the concert overall appeared to spiral and was at times problematic in the lead-up to the fight.

The pair began wrestling on the ground in front of the crowd. Picture: Instagram / @s6phiej9nes

It appeared some punches were thrown. Picture: Instagram / @s6phiej9nes

“The lead singer basically ranted for 50 per cent of the gig, primarily calling the audience c***s and continued to mouth off at one of the guitarists,” one wrote on social media.

“Anton lost his voice but was also yelling and insulting the crowd the whole time, he and Ryan got into a fight, Anton kept leaving the stage,” wrote another.

“It was a nightmare. Two hours on stage of just constant abuse and bickering, we only got two songs.”

“Paid big money to see music, got a WWE act instead,” another joked.

“We travelled 2.5hrs, booked accommodation, and left after an hour when Anton called us all cancer for booing him when he summoned a literal torch be brought to him to single out audience members he didn’t like,” one wrote on Instagram.

“Possibly the worst train wreck of a band I’ve ever seen,” another said.

Anton Newcombe, lead singer of US band The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Picture: Ola Dyer

“I need trauma counselling after that disturbing behaviour on stage!”

Other fans said they “felt sorry” for the other members of the band, while others urged people to be more sympathetic to what occurred, saying that they “needed to get help”.

Some even said it was party the audience’s fault for “trolling” and heckling the band.

“Pathetic behaviour from Anton in Melbourne. I felt bad for his bandmates,” one wrote.

“Never again I will put myself in this situation. This behaviour is not accepted anymore! Go get some help.”

The show was cut early and the safety curtain was put down. Picture: Reddit

“The crowd didn’t help. Lots of people yelling out trying to troll Anton,” another wrote.

“You bought a ticket, so you probably know what Anton is like. I was there to listen to music, not yell and throw sh*t at an artist to get a cheap laugh from my

mates.”

“This is clearly someone in the middle of a breakdown,” one fan said.

“Please show more kindness. I think the band really needs it.”

The Brian Jonestown Massacre formed in San Francisco bank in 1990.

The group was the subject of the 2004 documentary film called Dig! alongside alternative rock band The Dandy Warhols.

Members of band Brian Jonestown Massacre. Picture: Supplied

The band has gained notoriety over the years for their tumultuous working relationships, as well as the founder and lead singer Anton Newcombe’s erratic behaviour.

During an Australian tour back in 2018, the band was slammed by fans after making a “rape joke” while performing at Sydney’s Metro Theatre.

“Whatever, you’re a d**khead,” the lead singer Anton Newcombe told a fan.

“Your mum probably screamed like that when she was being raped and that’s how you were born.”

While the comment immediately drew loud boos from the audience, some concertgoers also appeared to be clapping Newcombe’s response.

The band is scheduled to play further shows in Victoria, with Castlemaine on Wednesday and Northcote on Thursday night, before ending the tour in Woollongong on Friday.

The Marriner Group, which runs The Forum, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre band have been contacted for comment.