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Wu-Tang Clan, Flume, and Claude VonStroke Among Artists Speaking Out Against Sydney Lockout Laws

Artists voice their opposition to the strict ordinances now imposed on clubs by the Australian city.
Photo courtesy of keepsydneyopen.com

This past Sunday, thousands of residents of Sydney, Australia gathered to protest the city's lockdown laws—ordinances that block entry or re-entry into venues, bars and clubs in the city after 1.30am, and enforce a 3am last call for the purchase of alcohol. THUMP has reported on the background of the laws, and on the protests themselves. Now artists both Australian and non have added to the voices in opposition to the nightlife-antagonizing legislature.

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According to the Daily Telegraph, American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, who performed at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion last night, voiced their support of the protests, with RZA saying: "We heard y'all got some new crazy laws. We going to to get these laws changed for y'all." He followed this comment by inviting everyone to an afterparty at the Jam Gallery, a venue in the commercial Sydney district of Bondi Junction.

Sydney based producer Flume also joined the protest, posting on his Facebook: "Sydney friends, the time to act and have our voices heard regarding the lockout laws is now." Alongside the post was a protest letter to Sydney Premier Mike Baird, signed by multiple artists on Flume's Future Classic label, including Basenji, Hayden James, and Jagwar Ma.

The Daily Telegraph also reported that Sydney DJ Alison Wonderland has voiced her embarrassment of the laws: "Our beloved Sydney's reputation has taken a f*****g battering & words can't explain how embarrassed I am that my home, the most beautiful and once most vibrant city in the world has become a laughing stock internationally. Everywhere I go from mainland Europe to middle America people are asking me if it's true that Sydney has become a nanny state and voice their genuine concerns about visiting it.Those who have recently are vowing not to return. Yet Melbourne (sans lockout) moves ahead safely and prosperously."

Read: Everything You Need to Know About Sydney's Club Lockout Laws

When Sydney club owner and DJ, Murat Kilic, gave an emotional keynote speech about the lockout laws, American fellow DJ Claude VonStroke posted on his Facebook: "I have played at Murat's clubs for many years and I will agree this law has completely ruined Sydney nightlife. Please support your local promoters fighting against this new ordinance in Australia."

THUMP will update this story as more reports come in.