Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp is asking loud and drunk audience members to avoid his future shows after a video of him screaming at a heckler went viral.
“We expect the same etiquette to be observed in the theater as in a Broadway show,” Mellencamp told The Washington Post.
“My shows aren't really concerts anymore. They're performances, and there's a difference between a performance and a concert. Look, I'm not for anyone anymore. I'm just not. And… If you want to come and scream, if you want to yell or get drunk, please don't come to my show,'' he added.
viral video show A rock icon walks off stage after a tense exchange with several people in the crowd during a concert in Toledo, Ohio.
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Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp performs at Farm Aid 2021 at the Xfinity Theater in Hartford, CT on September 25, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Mark Sagliocco)
“Play some music,” one concertgoer yelled as Mellencamp spoke. This comment prompted boos and tweets from many other attendees.
“What do you think I was doing, dear?” Mellencamp shot back. “Here's the problem, hey, you don't know me. You don't know me. Hey, Joe, find this guy and let me meet him after the show.”
When the singer tried to continue speaking, another audience member yelled for Mellencamp to play “Authority Song.”
“Everyone, you can leave this show right now and go home,” Mellencamp said. “Just tell me what we're going to do. We're going to cut about 10 songs from the show because you were so great. Now let's go.”
Shortly after starting the next song, Mellencamp declared the show over and left the stage. He then returned to finish his set that night.
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American musician John Mellencamp performs at the Farm Aid Music Festival at Coastal Credit Union Music Park on September 24, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images)
In a heated exchange with liberal comedian Bill Maher, the “Pink Horse” singer revealed that only 1% of black people living in America today have a better life than slaves. It made headlines in August when it claimed it was only 2%.
Mellencamp later admitted that he “just pulled out my numbers.”
Mellencamp has been outspoken about politics throughout his career, but has been criticized by both sides of the political spectrum and various media outlets for his antics on and off stage.
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In May 2023, Mellencamp was criticized by liberal leaders after releasing a song about Portland, Oregon, commenting on the city's homelessness and drug crisis.
In November 2022, the singer-songwriter faced backlash from conservatives after he was photographed sitting for the national anthem during a game between the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.
Nicholas Lanum is an associate editor at Fox News Digital.