Human Nature: Maskless concert in Sydney sparks outrage

A photo from inside a Human Nature concert in Sydney on Saturday night with more than 1200 attendees has sparked outrage online.

A concert of around 1200 people, most not wearing masks, at a Sydney venue has caused outrage.

The concert by Human Nature was held on Saturday at The Coliseum Theatre, a venue at Rooty Hill in western Sydney.

A photo taken inside the auditorium and posted on Twitter shows a crowd of older-looking concert goers sitting side-by-side.

The tweet has been retweeted by NSW Opposition Leader Jodie McKay, who commented, “No social distancing, very few masks and a predominantly older audience”.

The original Twitter poster @kate_cole_ wrote “This photo was taken last night inside the @sydneycoliseum theatre.

“I realise that new rules didn’t come into effect until midnight last night … but COVID doesn’t follow public health orders.”

The Coliseum, which has a 2000 seat capacity, was operating under the NSW Health large venue rule of 75 per cent capacity, meaning it could hold 1500 people.

Twitter user @drvyom tweeted: “I have heard venues are reducing capacity but then clumping all the punters together, which defeats the purpose of reduced venue capacity. Is this what is happening here? I am not sure of the COVID safe plan requirements.”

However a spokesman for West HQ, owners and operators of the theatre, told news.com.au that 1350 tickets were sold, but just 1200 people turned up, with 150 applying for refunds.

Ticketek had texted all concertgoers 24 hours before the event, telling them it was recommended they wear masks although they weren’t compulsory.

Around one per cent wore masks for the concert, which ran between 8pm and 9.45pm.

No social distancing, very few masks and a predominantly older audience. https://t.co/VqrKDxErZo

— Jodi McKay (@JodiMcKayMP) January 3, 2021

Imagine risking it all for a Human Nature concert. Yes, I judge you all https://t.co/Ctp96FXhD7

— Gianni Borrelli (@gianniborrelli) January 3, 2021

A tweet by @DanDbab said: “Large venues like this are allowed to operate at 75% capacity even now apparently (or 1 person per 4 sqm). But yeah surely the arrangement of those 75% is still important (hence why not make COVID safety plans public).”

West HQ CEO Richard Errington told news.com.au that the theatre had a specific NSW Health COVID safe order to hold the concert for 1500 people.

Human Nature is a covers band who also perform their own hits, and they have toured internationally and were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2019.

The band members, Toby Allen, Phil Burton, and brothers Mike and Andrew Tierney are all aged in their 40s.

They were also due to perform in Melbourne on Friday night but this concert has been cancelled.

The tweeted photo of the audience caused debate about who was responsible with @dlmetcalf tweeting that “@HumanNatureLive, still playing during a pandemic” was “mind-numbingly irresponsible of them. But even worse that NSW Health & Min Hazzard allow it to go ahead.”

But Mr Errington said that not only had Human Nature stood behind a white line on stage to keep them 5m from the edge, a band member had announced before the first song that members of the audience were not allowed to stand up, or to sing and dance.

Phil Burton, Toby Allen, Andrew Tierney and Michael Tierney from Human Nature performing at the State Theatre in Sydney in 2019. Picture: Christian Gilles

Hope you enjoy our #quarantinesessions version of MY GIRL . Stay safe & Have a great weekend everyone ! #quarantinelife #mygirl #motown #dressedupwithnowheretogo pic.twitter.com/30gQVKeOJK

— Human Nature (@HumanNatureLive) May 22, 2020

Twitter user @gianniborrelli joked: “Imagine risking it all for a Human Nature concert. Yes, I judge you all”.

Diana Yallop retweeted: “OMG I cant believe the gulf between Melbournites & Sydneyites in terms of mask wearing. What does it say about difference in cultural norms? Are Sydney people more individualistic? or cognition sun frazzled? Seriously …”

And @jerrabomb replied, “So why hasn’t Sydney learned from Melbourne’s experience? Are we all brain dead up here?”

OMG🤨 I cant believe the gulf between Melbournites & Sydneyites in terms of mask wearing . What does it say about difference in cultural norms ? Are Sydney people more individualistic ? or cognition sun frazzled ? Seriously...

— Diana Yallop (@YallopDiana) January 2, 2021

So why hasn't Sydney learned from Melbourne's experience? Are we all brain-dead up here?

— Lestump (@jerrabomb) January 3, 2021

Woke Bloke at @awb tweeted in jest: “S**t! I sure hope the Human Nature guys had their masks on! Otherwise that might have been their farewell concert!”

Joe Kloot opined that it was “a leadership issue: PM says go to footy before shutdown in March; Premier says go to cricket in January. Both during outbreaks. Difficult to send danger message with lack of effective leadership.”

Human Nature do a Christmas concert at The Star in Sydney in 2018.

Human Nature performed at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre at Rooty Hill (above) on Saturday. Picture: Brett Costello.

Twitter user @abigar9 theorised that “there are way more individualistic attitudes in Sydney.

“I live in a Lib stronghold in Sydney and the local FB group is about 80% pro masks.

“But that other 20% is loud and annoying about how this is going against their rights and freedoms and blah blah blah.”

Leadership issue: PM says go to footy before shutdown in March; Premier says go to cricket in January. Both during outbreaks. Difficult to send danger message with lack of effective leadership.

— Jo Kloot (@jokloot) January 3, 2021

I do think there are way more individualistic attitudes in Sydney. I live in a Lib stronghold in Sydney and the local FB group is about 80% pro masks but that other 20% is loud and annoying about how this is going against their rights and freedoms and blah blah blah.

— abigar (@abigar9) January 3, 2021

Also on Twitter @galaxyfarrahway said mask wearing was not seen as cool.

“I think Sydney ppl have a chip on their shoulder about whether or not they will look cool or stupid,” he tweeted.

“They wait til everyone else is wearing something to buy it; Melbourne just got on with it and within a month were out blinging each others masks.”

Richard Errington told news.com.au that The Coliseum Theatre reopened after lockdown on November 1 with a more stringent COVID-19 plan than other theatres, such as the Sydney Opera House and the Capitol which are allowed an 85 per cent audience capacity.

“We made sure the rules were strictly adhered to,” he said, “all staff wore masks”.

He said Ticketek data showed that most Human Nature concertgoers had been aged between 35 and 50, and that halfway through the concert the band had showed the audience how to “dance” safely while still seated.

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