“I’m aware the singer is a diagnosed bipolar schizophrenic, and I am aware that, whatever happened in 2016, he’s had years of no incidents while he’s been managing his condition,” Noble said.

“At what point are we going to show compassion and forgiveness through his efforts at growth? When do we forgive people with a mental health issue at attempting to move forward in life?”

“Stop living in the past, live in the now and let [Frost] be who is, which is a great artist.”

Peter Noble, Bluesfest festival director

The incident with Plum, however, is not the only controversy Frost has faced. Several months before that, he was also accused of shouting taunts at a different Indigenous artist while they were on stage talking about abuse at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre in Darwin.

Though the group said the latter allegation was a “massive misunderstanding”, Frost acknowledged his behaviour “for a large part has been unacceptable” and the band went on a hiatus in 2017 while he sought treatment.

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Controversy then followed them when the band re-formed in 2018. In an interview with Tom Tilley on Triple J, Frost appeared unrepentant about his past behaviour, offering explanations like “shit happens, man” and “boys will be boys”. Though he then made the aforementioned statement denouncing violence against women, one month later he was reportedly ejected from a Sydney pub after becoming involved in a verbal altercation with a transgender woman.

The following year, bandmates Frost and Paddy Cornwall were also involved in a serious physical altercation outside another licensed venue. Cornwall pleaded guilty to affray – a charge considered more serious than assault – and was sentenced to an 18-month term to be served in the community.

“Whatever happened in the past is in the past,” Noble said on Wednesday. “At some point, you have to allow people to move on with their life.”

“They’re playing a sold-out tour of the UK right now ... and there are no issues. Stop living in the past, live in the now and let [Frost] be who he is, which is a great artist.

“Lots of great artists over the years have had issues. Van Gogh had issues, but was he a great artist? That’s what we remember him for. Just let this man be the artist that he is. He’s trying his hardest.”

Sticky Fingers were also approached for comment.

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