Dan Sultan apologises for ‘inexcusable’ behaviour at show

Australian singer-songwriter Dan Sultan has apologised for his "inexcusable and disrespectful" behaviour after fans complained of a "train-wreck" performance at a Cairns show at the weekend.

Sultan took to social media on Monday afternoon to extend the apology following his Saturday night show at Cairns' Tanks Art Centre.

“I want to apologise to all of my fans, particularly those who were at the Cairns show on Saturday night. My behaviour was inexcusable and disrespectful," he said.

"Id also like to extend an apology to the staff at Tanks Arts Centre for what occurred. I am taking stock of my personal situation and am seeking professional help.”

Attendees who went to the Cairns show have been offered a full refund.

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Sultan's Killer Solo tour is still scheduled to continue.

Fans took to social media after the performance to express their disappointment at Sultan's performance, saying the singer-songwriter was "rambling" and falling off his stool.

"Cant begin to tell you how sad we feel, weve just walked out of your gig at The Tanks in Cairns. Your last gig here was one of the best gigs weve ever seen, but tonight was like watching a train wreck," Frank Dangelico wrote on Facebook.

"Dont know whats going on in your life, but to watch you fall off your stool, sing way off and clearly have no idea about how terrible your performance was, is just so profoundly disappointing and disrespectful to us as an audience and to your own professionalism and talent.

"Please get some help Dan, you are so much better than what you showed us tonight."

Another fan, Jemma Withaj, wrote: "Dan, I saw you last night at the Tanks in Cairns. While your talent is undeniable and your voice absolutely mesmerising. I left feeling so disappointed that we didn't get to see you at your finest.

"From a sold out crowd to watching people walking out on you was sad to see… Above all, I wish you well and hope to see you on top of your game again one day," she said.

Other comments on Facebook described Sultan "rambling" during the beginning of the concert, which made the audience "very uncomfortable".

Sultan has spoken of his problems with alcohol in the past, telling the Fairfax Media in 2014 he had moved on from issues which had blotted earlier parts of his career.

The Melbourne-born musician won the Best Male Artist and Best Blues & Roots Album awards at the ARIAs in 2010 for his second album, Get Out While You Can.

His third album Blackbird won Best Rock Album award at the ARIAs in 2014.

Steven Foster, Creative Venues Manager at the Cairns Regional Council, said there would be no further comment from staff at the Tanks Art Centre except to express their support for the artist.

"Certainly there are no ill feelings, we hope he gets the help he needs and gets back up top soon," he said.

Sultan's manager said there would no further comment on the matter.

Simone is a breaking news reporter for The Age. Most recently she covered breaking news for The Australian in Melbourne.

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