Just hours before stepping onto the stage, Jack Black’s Tenacious D has postponed Tuesday night’s sold-out show at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
The band’s Spicy Meatball Tour was eagerly-anticipated, with the Hollywood star being photographed shopping in the Hunter on Monday 15 July.
But, the latest development follows federal Senator Ralph Babet issuing a letter calling for the duo to be deported from Australia immediately, after a comment from Kyle Gass at their Sydney concert at the weekend.
It’s understood he made a birthday wish, saying “don’t miss (Donald) Trump next time”.
That remark earned the ire of Senator Babet.
“Tenacious D should be immediately removed from the country after wishing for the assassination of Donald Trump at their Sydney concert,” he said.
“I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D on Sunday.
“To advocate and/or wish for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil and not acceptable in any way, shape or form.
“This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.”
Frontier Touring would not offer any explanation for the cancellation.
“We regret to advise that Tenacious D’s concert [tonight] at Newcastle Entertainment Centre has been postponed,” it said in a statement.
“Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available.”
Senator Babet also called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to denounce Tenacious D and implored the Minister for Immigration, Andrew Giles, to revoke the band’s visas.
“Anything less than deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and attempted assassination of Donald J Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th President of the United States,” he added.
“Australia wrongly locked up Novak Djokovic and deported him because he allegedly undermined public trust in vaccination.
“Allowing Tenacious D to remain in Australia after calling for the death of a President is unthinkable and it affirms the weakness of our current Prime Minister.”
For more entertainment stories:
- Rising country star to rock Maitland’s Harold Gregson Reserve
- School holiday fun with The Listies at PACC
- Grammy nominee Tyler Childers Howlin’ into Newcastle country festival
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