Punter Allegedly Arrested Following Sexual Assault At Smith Street Band Gig

Content warning: This news article contains discussion of sexual assault.

A punter who attended The Smith Street Band's show in Victoria this past weekend has allegedly been arrested for sexually assaulting a person in the crowd during the gig. 

Frontman Wil Wagner cancelled the band's scheduled show in Castlemaine last night following the alleged assault believed to have occurred on Saturday night at their under 18's concert at Hawthorn Arts Centre in Hawthorn. 

"At the moment I feel like I never want to play a show again," the statement posted online by Wagner reads.

"We played an under 18 show yesterday that felt lovely and wholesome and special. Then after I found out someone groped someone in the crowd and was apprehended and arrested. Out of respect to the situation, I won’t go into that further."

The statement concludes, "I started writing songs because I wanted to express myself and it feels selfish of me to keep using that desire to express if it comes at the cost of people being hurt. I’m gonna keep making music, nothing is ever gonna stop me doing that, but it might be a while before I feel comfortable on stage again.

"I know I’m essentially making other people’s trauma about me but this is something I’ve long had need to express. I guess I just need you all to know that I’m angry and I care. And I’m sorry."

Read the full post below. 

The Smith Street Band's publicist has confirmed to The Music that the band's final show of their tour, scheduled in Thornbury this Friday, will be going ahead as planned. 

The Music has contacted police and for further information.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We originally reported that the alleged incident took place at Chelsea Heights Hotel on Saturday night. This is incorrect. The incident allegedly took place at Hawthorn Arts Centre in Hawthorn.