'Credible threat': musicians vow to 'Make Some Noise' for Palestine

By Lisa Rockman

Updated August 1 2025 - 8:03am, first published July 31 2025 - 8:00pm

An event organised by Newcastle musicians on Friday night to Make Some Noise for the people of Palestine has been cancelled due to "credible threats" made against the venue.

The fundraising event, which was to have been held at the Hamilton Station Hotel, is the brainchild of Rhys Drury and his brother Anyerin. They say they felt "helpless" watching the televised death and destruction in Gaza in recent months and needed to do something, anything, to help.

The Hamilton Station Hotel posted this on social media on Thursday night:

"We are disappointed that we can no longer host tomorrow night's 'Make Some Noise' Charity Event. Safety at the venue is our first priority. NSW Police have advised us of credible threats made against the venue, and we must proceed in the interest of the safety of our staff and customers. It's disappointing that these threats have been made towards us and the venue. Refunds for all ticket holders will be sent out through Oztix as soon as possible."

ARIA-nominated hip-hop artist Urthboy (aka Tim Levinson, formerly of The Herd) was part of the Make Some Noise line-up alongside Boudicca, Krisp, Bardvarkk, Anyerin, Herd Immunity, Michael McNaughton, Redlight Trolley and Marimayi.

A Palestinian woman living in Newcastle was going to share her story and that of her family. A Sydney spokesperson for the Al-Nuseirat Camp Kitchen in Gaza and Campbell Knox (Maitland Greens) was also going to address the audience.

"It's horrific in Gaza, absolutely horrific," Rhys Drury told the Newcastle Herald earlier this week.

"Friday night's event will raise funds for Al-Nuseirat Camp Kitchen, a group run by Palestinians who live in Gaza. They raise funds to purchase whatever food and water they can get and distribute it around Al-Nuseirat refugee camp.

"They were cooking for a while, but it's hard to find any ingredients now, so what they're doing is buying water and flour and distributing it among the community."

Worldwide, it is musicians who have received the most press for speaking out against the atrocities occurring in Gaza. Mr Drury says if it helps to "normalise and popularise" the conversation, it could lead to positive change.

Anyerin agreed.

"We have an opportunity here to show our politicians that we won't ignore the atrocities we are seeing committed on the other side of the globe with weapons parts manufactured right here in the Hunter," he said.

"I think it's incredible that here in Newcastle we have so many artists giving up their time and income to stand for Palestine.

"The aim is not just to raise funds, but to raise awareness, start conversations, and inspire real action within the local community."

Mr Drury told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday night that he and the other Make Some Noise musicians were looking for an alternative venue to hold the fundraising event.

Looks like they've found a new venue: https://www.facebook.com/events/1443147206679597