The frontwoman of a popular Brisbane band who was "aggressively groped" during a show in Newcastle on the weekend is calling out the "disgusting behaviour" and says inappropriate touching of artists on stage is too common.
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Management of the Cambridge Hotel is investigating the incident, in which Waax singer Maz DeVita was touched twice by a man in the crowd while she was on stage during the band's Sunday night set.
DeVita took to social media after the gig to call out the assault, labelling it "extremely degrading", disrespectful and disgusting.
She told the Newcastle Herald on Monday the incident had not yet been reported to police because the man was still to be identified.
DeVita said Sunday's incident was not her first experience of being touched inappropriately while playing live and that these incidents were "a little too common amongst the music community".
"I'd had enough of having to ignore it," she told the Herald.
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"I never forget when these things happen because the physical memory affects me a lot. I'd like to say that we will not stand for this behaviour in any situation."
Cambridge Hotel licensee Dru Russell said he was "extremely disappointed" to hear about the incident and an investigation was underway.
"Everyone has the right to be comfortable in their work place, and unwanted touching towards anyone is something we do not tolerate," he said.
In her social media post on Sunday night, DeVita called the Cambridge Hotel one of her favourite venues in Australia and said - aside from the incident - people were generally having a safe and enjoyable time at the show. But she took aim at the man who assaulted her twice during the band's set.
"I don't know who you are, but you know who you are and I want you to know that your disgusting behaviour is not welcome in our music scene or anywhere really. It is totally disrespectful and plain f**ked up," she wrote.
"Musicians work really hard to make music and perform it. We deserve some f**king respect. Myself and my peers expect better.
"You wouldn't grope someone in the grocery store, on the bus or in your workplace. So what makes this situation any different? What am I to you? Last I checked I'm a f**king human who deserves the right to her own body and the right to work in a safe environment."
Waax formed in 2013 and have released two EPs - their debut album is expected to be released later this year.
The band won the Triple J Unearthed Bigsound competition in 2014 and gets regular airplay on the station.
