A chaotic scene unfolded outside Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane during Lady Gaga‘s Mayhem Ball concert on March 15, 2024. The event was marred by both technical issues and the disruptive presence of notorious celebrity pest Johnson Wen, who was quickly removed from the venue.
Footage shared on social media captured Wen, 26, attempting to attend the concert in disguise before being identified and escorted out by security. This incident followed his recent notoriety for storming the stage at a red carpet event for Ariana Grande in Singapore, where he was arrested for public nuisance. His behavior at the concert exemplified a troubling pattern of attention-seeking stunts that have garnered him a following online.
Concertgoers faced significant delays as well. The gates, originally scheduled to open at 5:00 PM, did not admit fans until 6:00 PM, resulting in long queues that left many waiting outside. Gaga eventually took the stage at 7:40 PM, a full 40 minutes after her planned start time. The delays were reportedly attributed to technical issues at the venue.
A number of fans expressed their frustration at the situation. One concertgoer took to X, expressing outrage over the lengthy wait and the money spent on tickets, stating, “Thousands of us were left standing outside the stadium after paying hundreds of dollars to see her. Her team and she should be f**king ashamed.”
Reports indicate that at least two individuals required medical assistance after fainting in the long lines. Another attendee detailed their experience on TikTok, describing it as the “worst experience” they had ever encountered at a concert. “There were three-plus lines for every line, so you were just lining up in useless lines,” they stated. “They finally opened it up so we got in to scan our tickets through, and we were like, ‘what’s the hold-up? They’d run out of f**king wristbands.’”
In the wake of the chaos, Ticketmaster and Live Nation have been contacted for comments regarding the situation. Suncorp Stadium’s official Instagram account acknowledged the “delayed start” and thanked fans for their patience, amidst a flurry of promotional posts for the concert.
As for Wen, he documented his removal from the venue on social media, sharing a selfie with a caption that read: “Got kicked out of Lady Gaga concert! The show doesn’t start ‘til 8 PM! The early fans were booing me,” complete with crying laughing emojis. Eyewitnesses reported that Wen had attempted to conceal his identity with a fake moustache.
Last month, Wen was sentenced to nine days in jail after his incident at the Wicked: For Good premiere, where he breached security and grabbed Ariana Grande. In sentencing, Singapore District Judge Christopher Goh condemned Wen’s actions as premeditated and emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “You should be mindful that there are always consequences for one’s actions.”
Wen’s antics have previously seen him disrupt performances by other artists, including Katy Perry and The Weeknd. He has built a reputation online as a “Troll Most Hated,” engaging in behavior that many deem reckless and disruptive in pursuit of fame. As the dust settles on the chaotic evening in Brisbane, it remains to be seen how the concert organizers and venues will address these ongoing challenges.
