A rock concert featuring some of the world’s biggest acts will not go ahead at an iconic venue after clashing with the traditional Anzac Day march.
Thousands of revelers were expected to flock to the Domain in Sydney on April 25 for the day-long Pandemonium event as part of the festival’s first Australian east coast tour.
Blondie, Alice Cooper, Placebo, Deep Purple, Wheatus and The Psychedelic Furs were among the headline acts scheduled to perform on two stages, along with Australian band Wolfmother.
At the same time, less than a kilometer away, thousands of Aussies lined the city streets for the traditional Anzac Day march, with up to 10,000 active duty service members and veterans taking part.
The concert’s 11.30am start time clashed with the march – which does not end until after midday – raising concerns at RSL NSW.
The NSW Government intervened on Wednesday morning, with Premier Chris Minns revealing the concert should not go ahead.
The rock concert was due to clash with the Anzac Day march through Sydney’s CBD
RSL NSW president Mick Bainbridge had raised concerns with event organizers about moving the concert to another venue or a later date, 2GB’s Ben Fordham revealed.
“We have seen during the Royal Commission hearings how important it is for us to protect and celebrate our community events for veterans,” Mr Bainbridge told the broadcaster.
‘We need to create opportunities to support each other, not tear each other down.’
‘RSL NSW understands the music promoter has offered a portion of ticket sales to veterans’ charities to drum up support for the concert.
‘But Anzac Day is not for sale!’
The concert sparked backlash from other veterans before Prime Minister Minns intervened.
“A concert starting at 11.30am on Anzac Day, in the Domain, which has nothing to do with veterans and not even a mention in their promotion for it,” Special Forces Combat veteran Heston tweeted.
‘At the same time as the parade? I hope this is someone’s fault and not some deliberate disrespect.”
Thousands of partygoers were expected to flock to Sydney’s Domain on April 25 for the day-long Pandemonium concert headlined by 1970s punk rockers Blondie (pictured)
NSW Chris Minns has pulled the plug on the concert at The Domain after becoming aware it would clash with the traditional Anzac Day march less than 1km away
Fordham described the double timing as a ‘bit of a shocker’ and was keen to find out who was responsible for the blunder.
The domain is managed by The Botanic Gardens Trust.
“This event has nothing to do with paying tribute to veterans,” Fordham told listeners on Wednesday.
“It’s going to be Pandemonium, okay!”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the event promoters and The Botanic Gardens Trust for comment.
Event promoters are hailing Pandemonium as Australia’s hottest new rock festival and ‘a rock fan’s dream come true’.
“Dive into the epic lineup of legendary acts whose countless hits have become the soundtrack of our lives,” according to the concert’s Facebook page.
The festival kicks off in Melbourne on April 20 before moving to Sydney, the Gold Coast and Bribie Island.
The rock music festival features a star-studded line-up headlined by Blondie and Alice Cooper