UPDATED: Tenacious D Cancels Australian Tour and Future Plans Amid Controversy, Novocastrians divided.

UPDATE: Jack Black and Kyle Gass announced the cancellation of their Australian Tour and suspension of future creative plans. We’ve updated the article and you’ll see a screenshot of their announcements at end of this articble.

[UPDATED] Newcastle, NSW, Australia – The American comedy rock duo Tenacious D, composed of Jack Black and Kyle Gass, initially postponed their Newcastle concert, then later cancelled their Australian tour following backlash over a controversial joke made during a Sydney show. The comment, which referenced the recent attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, has sparked significant mixed debate with some calling for the duo’s deportation from Australia and others defending the pair, saying it was comedy and free speech.

During their performance in Sydney, Gass made a birthday wish joke, saying, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” referring to the recent shooting incident involving Trump in Pennsylvania. This remark quickly drew ire, particularly from United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet, who demanded the band be deported. Babet stated, “Anything less than a deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and the attempted assassination of Donald J Trump.” and Sydney shock jock Kyle Sandilands said he had banned them from his radio show.

On the other side of the debate, one resident defended the band, saying, “Are we really living in a world where a comedian can get deported for telling a joke? You don’t like their jokes, then don’t go to their shows. Simple.”

Frontier Touring announced the postponement of the Newcastle Entertainment Centre show at Broadmeadow on social media, advising ticket holders to retain their tickets until further notice. No specific reason was given for the sudden cancellation, leading to widespread speculation and disappointment among fans, some of whom were already at the venue.

The reaction to Gass’s joke has been mixed. Some people condemned the comment, deeming it inappropriate and offensive calling for the deportation of the pair, others view it as an overreaction. Many supporters of Tenacious D on social media argue that the joke was ultimately a harmless expression of free speech and highlight the importance of freedom of speech, noting that comedians often push boundaries to provoke thought and laughter.

The controversy has not only affected the Newcastle concert but have now cancelled the rest of their Australian tour and Jack Black announced the suspension all future creative plans, which includes shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide.

Locally, on social media, the sentiment is divided. Some Newcastle residents expressed disappointment over the cancellation, they were really looking forward to the event and were concerned about the impact on casual workers and local businesses. Others supported the cancellation, agreeing that public figures should be held accountable for their statements, regardless of their intent.

While the joke has stirred controversy and strong reactions from both sides, it has re-ignited the broader debate about the limits of free speech and the responsibilities that come with it. Some say, while free speech is a fundamental right, others say making light of violence can be deeply offensive. The debate continues to rage on Newcastle social media sites with discussions about the balance of comedic expression whilst respecting serious and potentially controversial topics. But in response to this, one local said “The crowd cheered because Australians have a sense of humour”. Newy 87.8 will leave it for you to decide.

The cancellation announcement can be viewed below: