Richard Ashcroft took his new band United Nations of Sound on their first Australian tour but ran in to problems during their very first song of last night’s (Aug 1) appearance at ‘Splendour In the Grass‘ Festival.
After smashing his microphone to the stage floor during the gig’s opening track ‘Are You Ready‘ the singer walked off stage and did not return, prompting some in the audience to chant “wanker”, according to fastlouder.com.
NME reports that some fans suggested the low turnout for Richard’s set prompted the outburst as his set saw him go up against Empire of the Sun and the Pixies who were also on the Bill.
Ashcroft’s management blamed the cancellation on the Brit rock stars voice giving out and posted a statement on their official website Richardashcroft.co.uk:
“After three gigs in two days, including a two-hour show in Sydney on Saturday night, we knew Richard would have to look after his voice for the Splendour In The Grass set so we cancelled all promotional activity for Sunday,”
It continued:
“It wasn’t until he got on stage on Sunday night at Splendour that he realised his voice wouldn’t make it through the set.”
Ashcroft is now on doctors orders “not to speak or sing for 72 hours”.
Following is fan footage shot of the incident:
is he singing “i’m ready”? oh the irony!