Phoebe Bridgers Calls Out 'Bros' During Brisbane Gig: 'That's How This Shit Goes On For Too Long'

Content warning: This news article contains discussion of sexual assault and rape. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

US artist Phoebe Bridgers called out "bros" during her show at Brisbane's The Zoo on Friday night, just days after she was one of several women to make sexual misconduct allegations against Ryan Adams.

Before performing her track, Motion Sickness, believed to be about her past relationship with Adams, Bridgers addressed the crowd. 

"This one [Motion Sickness] is kind of weird for me right now," Bridgers said.

"It’s about a really bad person who I felt really conflicted about and I just wanted to say, like, I feel like all of us know women who have been through crazy shit but I’ve talked to very few men who are like, ‘Oh, I know, like, my friend, who’s a dude, hooks up with, like, underage girls, it’s so crazy.’ Like, nobody knows the abuser, I feel like, because people keep it so on the low, obviously."

"So just if you see your bros, like, hitting on underage girls, or being super entitled and crazy, like, call them out, because, yeah, that’s how this shit… it just goes on for way too long because enablers around them keep it going for, like, 15 fucking years.” 

It comes after The New York Times released a report earlier this week alleging, “seven women and more than a dozen associates described a pattern of manipulative behavior in which Adams dangled career opportunities while simultaneously pursuing female artists for sex”. 

One of the allegations includes a 20-year-old former musician who claims Adams began corresponding with her online in 2013 when she was 14, which eventually lead to ‘graphic texting’ and Adams exposing himself via webcam.

As well as Bridgers, fellow musician Courtney Jaye, and Adams’ ex-wife actress and musician Mandy Moore are just some of the women who have come forward with allegations.

Though Adams has denied all allegations, the FBI have reportedly opened an investigation into the claims, while a planned album release from the Jacksonville musician has been pulled.