Human Nature gig slammed for large crowds, but venue owner insists there was nothing more they could do to keep patrons COVID safe

The owner of the venue at the centre of an online storm has said he is “gobsmacked” by the backlash to Saturday night’s Human Nature concert.

The Sydney Coliseum Theatre in Sydney’s Rooty Hill hosted the band on Saturday night, just prior to the state’s COVID guidelines changing on Sunday, including the introduction of mandatory masks at indoor venues.

Photos of the concert have since emerged, showing limited social distancing in what appeared to be a crowded venue, and minimal mask use.

Despite the online backlash, Richard Errington, CEO of West HQ, which owns the venue in question, told TMN his company “could do no more” to ensure the safety of patrons.

“We complied to the COVID safety plan. We complied to the Health Order. It was all approved by New South Wales Health for the operations of the theatre under specific guidelines that both Human Nature and ourselves as the venue owner endorsed and ensured were complied,” he told TMN, noting the only other alternative would have been to cancel the gig.

“We also sent an email out to every ticketed person advising that masks would be recommended, and that masks would be available on the night should they choose or require them, so we would actually provide them with the masks, as long as they were over 12. So we provided everyone with that opportunity and advice in advance.

“So, the public accessibility space, one per four square metres, we also complied with that. Seating, under the Health Order people could sit side-by-side as they were forward facing, and that’s for all theatres, cinemas and concert halls. So, we did everything to the compliance of New South Wales Health that they required.”

Errington noted that from mid December, Sydney venues were allowed to operate at 75% capacity, as long as the event was seated and ticketed. This meant there were 1,500 tickets available for Human Nature fans, of which, 1,350 were purchased. As Sydney’s COVID numbers began to rise again, the venue offered refunds with no consequences, he said, noting that in the end about 1,200 patrons showed up.

No social distancing, very few masks and a predominantly older audience. https://t.co/VqrKDxErZo

— Jodi McKay (@JodiMcKayMP) January 3, 2021

He said staff wore masks, and Human Nature themselves issued advice to the crowd about remaining seated, not singing along, and not partaking in dancing. They stood, he said, five metres behind a white line on the stage.

Errington said he understands COVID and its spread do not pay attention to arbitrary dates or COVID safety plans, but noted that the attendance of the majority of ticket holders meant there was an appetite for the event, and that its attendees felt safe.

“It’s interesting, why did people attend? People attended because they felt safe. But they had the opportunity to come or not come. We gave them that without penalty. We gave them that with support…. I feel, gosh we’ve done everything for the community. We’ve adhered to what the Government and everyone wants to keep our lives normal for mental health and all these issues as possible, don’t put people at risk though, don’t put people in situations of risk. We’re more than 25 kilometres away from that cluster in whenever it is. Like, we’re not even in the same demographic.”

If everything was above board, why then the backlash? Errington admitted he really doesn’t know why Saturday’s concert has become a headline grabber.

“It’s an emotional thing that we’re dealing with. Did we do the wrong thing? No. Are we in breach of anything? No. Did we go beyond? Well, we put everything in place and more, is what we could ever possibly consider. We had less than the capacity. I’m just a bit gobsmacked what more we could have done.”

Human Nature’s management has also been contacted for comment.