Aussie Gigs Scam: Bands Ripped Off, Venues Paid

0:00It's April 22nd. Music news today starts now. AI powered and ready to play. I'm Cory with the story. An investigation by Triple J. Hack has exposed a shady booking agency called Ozzy Giggs ripping off more than 20 Australian bands and artists. These musicians say they got ghosted after gigs, never seeing a dime, despite selling enough tickets to hit contract targets. The agency pockets venue payments but leaves performers high and dry, owing thousands in total. Turns out Ozzy Giggs shares bank details with Revolt Entertainment, another outfit with the same bad rep. Venues like Sydney's lazy bones lounge paid up, but artists got nothing. Contracts promised no penalties for missing sales goals, yet funds only drop after targets. Tricky wording that keeps cash from flowing. Artists are furious and hurting. One male-born rapper Nathan Nicholson played a show right before chemo for a chest tumor, rallying friends for what should have been 20 tickets per. Band. Instead, he got excuses and silence while recovering in hospital.

1:03Sydney's Ryan Thomas chase payment for over a month, only to learn the venue already settled, leaving him unable to pay his own band. Digging deeper, the trail leads to 29-year-old Jonathan Ertanzel, director of Revolt, and in a band that played Ozzy Giggs shows his recent. Oz. Last September, more than 20 acts report similar scams, and four got paid only after threatening lawyers, others after endless begging. No response from the agencies when pressed. Arts Law Center urges musicians to demand clear contracts, ask questions early, and hit them up for free legal help if stiffed. With calls growing for venues to vet bookers better, this mess spotlights how fragile live music can be, hoping it sparks real protection so no one. Giggs for free again.