RAPIST: Russell Brand. Picture: Gage Skidmore
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
A city music venue has cancelled a gig by Icicle Works frontman Ian McNabb over “disgraceful” comments published on his social media about convicted rapist Russell Brand.
McNabb was due to appear at Wrecking Ball Arts Centre on March 21, 2027, but the independent venue in Whitefriargate announced this afternoon it had cancelled the gig.
Disgraced comedian Brand, 51, was jailed for ten years and six months on Monday after being convicted by a jury of raping a woman and sexually assaulting three others after a four-week trial.
A now deleted post on McNabb’s X account claimed Brand was “being stitched up for his outspoken views”.
The post continued: “I know people who were in his orbit and girls were throwing themselves at him every night. If that happened to me I know what I’d do.
‘WE WON’T WORK WITH HIM AGAIN’: Wrecking Ball Arts Centre
“Yer pays yer money you takes yer chance.
“If you want to hang out with the artist don’t cry when you’re in the picture.
“All the chicks who turn up at these situations know exactly what’s going on.
“The ones who decided they were done badly to – ten years after the event – are the worst.”
The decision to cancel the gig was taken by Wrecking Ball owners and directors Gary Marks and Shane Rhodes.
In a post on X signed by “Gary and The Team”, Wrecking Ball said: “We do not like to cancel gigs but on this occasion we are left with no choice. In light of Ian McNabb’s disgraceful social media comments in support of Russell Brand, I as the promoter and the whole Wrecking Ball team refuse to work with him going forward.
UNPLUGGED: Ian McNabb says all his shows ‘for the foreseeable future’ have been cancelled
“I’ve spoken to his agent and we are on the same page on this. I believe many other venues are taking the same stance. Therefore, Ian McNabb’s show scheduled for Sunday, March 21 is cancelled and refunds will be given from point of purchase.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience to the people who have bought tickets but we will not allow him to perform in our venue again.”
A later, lengthier post on McNabb’s account said: “I have been CANCELLED and therefore all of my shows for the foreseeable future have also.”
It said the post was being made “with a heavy heart and deep sadness and regret”.
Gary told The Hull Story: “He’s taken it [original post] down and is trying to back-pedal but the damage is done. We have a popular venue here we are proud of and we have every right to stop people playing here if we don’t agree with them.”