US rapper Ice Spice sparks outrage over ‘entitled’ act at New Year’s event in Brisbane
American rapper Ice Spice has infuriated fans with a late arrival and a brief performance at Brisbane’s Wildlands Festival on New Year’s Eve.
New Years revellers were left furious after the hitmaker turned up 25 minutes late to the stage on Tuesday before performing for just “six minutes”, sparking outrage online.
Concertgoers paid up to $242 to attend the event at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Ice Spice, whose real name is Isis Naija Gaston, reportedly had her microphone cut due to time constraints at the event and only had time for a couple of songs.
Ice Spice threw the peace sign up as she was booed from the stage.
“We understand that Ice Spice’s delayed arrival caused some disappointment. Managing a stacked festival means that we have to be extremely firm with set times,” the festival said.
“We had a strict curfew of 12.30 and need to ensure that the final act went on stage on time, so everyone could enjoy the New Year’s Eve countdown”
Fans fumed on social media site, X.
“Can someone explain to me how/why artists are late for their sets at a festival? They’re usually at the festival all day so like what makes them late?” one said.
“She is getting paid to show up and perform, probably a lot of money, and she’s late? Entitled,” another added.
“The Ice Spice stuff in Brisbane is hilarious,” another added.
On Thursday, Sunrise reporter Sam Payne spoke about the incident.
“Definitely a fair bit of drama coming out of Brisbane in the Wildlands Festival over the weekend.
“Especially, Ice Spice, a rapper who rose to fame through social media apps like TikTok and Instagram was set to perform a 30-minute set just before New Year’s Eve.
“Anyway, she’s come on 25 minutes late and was only able to perform a few songs until the organisers cut off her music and she was forced to leave the stage, because they were on a strict schedule ahead of New Year’s Eve.
“This prompted fans to start booing her, venting on social media, confused as to how she could be late when she was supposed to be at the venue hours earlier.
“They do say new PR is good PR. I don’t think this is good PR for Ice Spice heading into the new year.”
Artists involved on Wildlands include Australian DJ Fisher, electronic duo Chase & Status, and German DJ Marlon Hoffstadt.
Originally published on Sunrise
