A Newcastle sports club has received a flood of support from the city's music scene after the venue was left with holes in its walls after a violent music gig.
The Croatian Wickham Sports Club hosted Endless Swarm's Body Hammering Australia 2026 tour on Saturday night, but staff were left disheartened when they found their venue trashed by overzealous hardcore music fans.
Scottish band Endless Swam describe their genre as power-violence and performed, with support from Australian bands including Melbourne's Choof, Sydney's Inebrious Bastards, Snitch Trial and Sinkpissers.
In a statement on social media the Croatian club said the damage caused during Choof's performance on Saturday, May 16, had left volunteers, staff, and supporters extremely disappointed.
"The Croat is not a large corporate venue," the club's statement said.
"We are a small community-run club that is barely staying afloat while continuing to support local live music, community events, cultural activities, and emerging performers.
"Our volunteers work countless unpaid hours to keep the doors open for the community and for live music to continue in Newcastle.
"To then be left with damage, vandalism, and repair costs after an event is incredibly disheartening.
"Supporting live music also means respecting the venues that provide a platform for it."
The club said the behaviour of those responsible reflected poorly not only on them but also on the band and audience in general.
"Community venues cannot continue to support live entertainment if they are left carrying the financial burden of reckless behaviour and property damage," the club said.
It noted concert organisers Grindhead Records and Choof had reached out directly to apologise for the incident and offer assistance toward repairs and rectification works.
The club made a call-out for help to organise repairs and was met with a wave of support.
"The response from our local community, musicians, patrons, volunteers, and supporters has honestly been incredible and has reminded us why this venue has meant so much to so many people over the years," it said in a statement.
"We have also been overwhelmed by members of Newcastle's live music community offering their time and labour to help repair and clean up, assistance sourcing trades and materials, donations and sponsorship support and help to refresh and improve the band room space for the future."
"Discussions are underway for a positive outcome regarding repair and restoring the damage," the club said.
While the damage had been disheartening, the club said the response had exemplified the spirit that had allowed it to support music for years.
"This Club has survived because of community spirit, volunteers, and people who genuinely care about keeping live music alive in Newcastle," it said.
"Seeing everyone rally together has meant a great deal to us.
"Over the coming weeks we hope to work collaboratively with the music community to not only repair the damage, but potentially freshen up and improve the band room space for future events and full-capacity shows."
