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Stricter festival regulations in New South Wales have received some colourful, high-profile criticism from Californian rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who described the rules as "outlandish" and "stupid".
- Red Hot Chilli Peppers bass player Flea took aim at the new rules at a concert in Victoria
- The regulations require "high-risk" events to obtain a licence after drug-related deaths
- The NSW Government says the deaths demonstrated a small number of events need to be safer
Michael Balzary, known professionally as Flea, did not mince his words as he addressed the crowd at a concert in Geelong on Saturday.
"Did they figure out that stupid shit in New South Wales yet? Trying to pass that law so it's impossible to put on a concert?" he asked the cheering crowd.
"Making it hard for people to go see live music — that's the stupidest f***ing thing I've ever heard in my life."
Frontman Anthony Kiedis then chimed in:
"Who the f*** came up with that idea?"
Flea replied: "Some f***ing outlandish shit they're trying to do.
"What could make a community stronger and better than everyone going out to see live music?
"Live music forever, for the people."
The group was referring to the State Government's new festival regulations, which have been implemented after a string of drug-related deaths at events last year.
Under the new arrangements, 14 "high-risk" festivals will need to supply a safety management plan to receive a licence from the independent Liquor and Gaming Authority.
Festivals where a drug-related death or illness has occurred in the last three years are automatically included on the list.
Defqon.1, Knockout Games of Destiny, Lost Paradise and FOMO are some of the events affected.
The regulations have been unpopular with many in the festival industry, with heavyweights such as Bluesfest director Peter Noble threatening to move his event interstate.
Last month thousands of people joined industry professionals and musicians including triple j Hottest 100 winners Ocean Alley in protesting against the new regulations at Sydney's Hyde Park.
Many said the regulations could damage the industry, and argued there had been inadequate consultation from the State Government.
Industry figures have also criticised the process as being rushed and without consultation.
A NSW Government spokeswoman again defended the changes following the high-profile criticism.
"The NSW Government wants music festivals to thrive — but serious drug-related illnesses and deaths have demonstrated that we need to help make a small number of festivals safer," the statement said.
Topics: politics-and-government, music-industry, industry, music, arts-and-entertainment, sydney-2000, geelong-3220
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