550 - NYE '79: Anarchy at the Sydney Opera House

In this episode of Do Go On, Matt Stewart delivers a vivid and chaotic deep dive into the infamous New Year's Eve 1979 concert by Australian rock legends The Angels at the Sydney Opera House. Suggested by listener Logan Husky, the story unfolds as a cautionary tale of poor event planning, escalating crowd unrest, and a violent riot that turned a celebratory milestone into a 'Night of Terror.' Matt recounts how the band, riding high on their status as Australia’s premier rock act, arrived to find a 100,000-person crowd baking in 32°C heat with no shade, food, or functioning toilets. As the night wore on, frustration boiled over—protest chants, thrown bottles, and even full cans of beer rained down on the stage. The band, particularly drummer Buzz Bidstrup, described the experience as a war zone, with frontman Doc Neeson and bassist Chris Bailey suffering serious injuries. The event sparked national outrage, leading to a 17-year ban on rock concerts at the Opera House. Despite the trauma, the episode ends on a celebratory note, with the hosts and audience chanting the iconic 'No way, get fucked, fuck off' call-and-response, cementing its place as a uniquely Australian cultural phenomenon. The episode also features live banter, sponsor plugs for Squarespace, Patreon shout-outs, and a humorous mock induction into the 'Triptage Club.'