'Have a drink on us': $35k shout after gig cancelled

Hard rock band Amyl and the Sniffers has shouted thousands of free drinks for fans after a gig was shut down over safety fears.

The Melbourne-based outfit was due to play a free, all-ages show at Federation Square.

But the event was cancelled minutes before lead singer Amy Taylor and her band mates were due to hit the stage, with The Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation which operates Fed Square, reportedly saying there had been multiple breaches of security barriers.

The group took to social media to express its disappointment.

"Hello Fed Square and everybody who came to show up, we're so f**king sorry that we couldn't play," Taylor said in an Instagram post .

"We genuinely felt really bad, like from the gut, from everything, it sucks to not be able to play in our hometown for free."

Taylor said a "bunch of people" rushed the barriers, making the event unsafe.

"Especially because it was all ages, we just can't have that," she said.

We don't want anyone having a sh*t time."

The band told fans "to have a drink on us in AC/DC fashion" in a video that has received more than 60,000 likes.

It said $5000 tabs had been opened at seven venues.

That meant $35,000 worth of free drinks at The Tote, The Old Bar, The Curtin, Labour in Vain, Hell's Kitchen, Last Chance Rock and Roll Bar, and Cherry Bar.

"We really wanted to play," Ms Taylor said.

"I was chucking a tantrum like no tomorrow. You can't imagine it, and I'm so sorry. Just have some fun tonight."

Victorian Police confirmed officers were called to the Fed Square, where they were told a large group of people had attempted to gain access to the venue before the band's gig was shut down.

The pub rock and punk outfit consists of vocalist Taylor, drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Mehrtens and bassist Gus Romer.

It is supporting AC/DC on its 2025 Australian "PWR UP" tour.