'Regurgitator' Is Not Coming On ANU Bar Finale Due To Gender Biased Comment From Showrunner

The Brisbane band "Regurgitator" officially announced on social media their withdrawal from the show at Canberra's Australian National University (ANU) Bar Finale on June 17. It is amidst the criticism regarding the heavy gender bias of the show.

Due to the intensity of the issue that emerged after the organizer's comment about why the concert's 11-band lineup featured no "women or non-binary", two bands before "Regurgitator" already pulled off from the said event. Greenrooms Canberra owner Garry Peadon's statement caused a commotion online following the controversy of the all-male line-up. His comment "Why do I have to even think about this shit?" garnered major speculations online that left many angry people as reported by Huffington Post. 

The band is leaving the lineup because of showrunner's criticism about the heavy gender bias of the lineup. "Regurgitator" have announced on their official Facebook page about their decisions and has elaborated further about how they feel about the showrunner's comment.

"Music is not about gender but we cannot ignore gender in regard to the ongoing practices of music as an industry...We very much support mixed demographic scenarios where possible covering diversity in gender, sexuality, race etc... we are aware of how important this is." the band further elaborated

With an interview with ABC Radio Canberra, Garry Peadon said he did not understand why people took offense to his response. He said that he had no regrets with both the line-up and the handling of the events even if two bands including "Regurgitator" has left. Though he also claimed that he had attempted to book some female acts for the show but they were not available as reported by ABC News.

A spokesperson for ANU Bar said that the selection of the line-up wasn't prejudiced. Regarding the event, Mr. Peadon said that the two bands withdrawal including "Regurgitator" won't be taken as an offense. Refunds for those disappointed in the lineup changes will be returned guaranteed.Meanwhile, the ANU Union has already campaigned against Mr. Peadon's controversy and is now welcoming acts from all genders to join the lineup.