Amyl and the Sniffers' free gig shut down over security fears at Fed Square

A free gig by Australian rockers Amyl and the Sniffers was shut down after security fences at Federation Square were breached.

The free gig for all ages in Melbourne was cancelled soon after the band was due to take to the stage.

"Fed Square will always put safety first," MAP Co chief executive Katrina Sedgwick said.

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The band just supported AC/DC in Melbourne and have just been nominated for a Grammy.

Sedgwick said the concert was stopped mid-show.

"It came about because of multiple breaches to the perimeter fencing, which caused a very real risk of crowd crushes."

"We didn't make this decision lightly. It was a really tough decision."

She said at 7.40pm capacity was reached for the show.

But people outside started pushing on the fencing, breaking it down, she said.

"At that point we announced the show was cancelled."

Lead singer Amy Taylor blew up on Instagram, saying "you simply cannot imagine the tantrum I am having" at missing out on performing the free gig in the band's hometown of Melbourne.

"So, so, so sorry, we're really sad," Taylor said in a selfie video.

"We're backstage, we literally would have loved to play, we're devastated.

"The f---ing fences got crushed in, too many people, f---ing cops shut it down. (We're) p---ed as f---, p---ed off, and we're just really apologetic and so sorry."

Fed Square said in an earlier statement it was forced to cancel the show "after multiple breaches of the perimeter fences caused a very high risk of crowd crushes".

"It was unsafe for the show to continue," Fed Square said.

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"We did not take this decision lightly and are deeply sorry for any disappointment caused, however tonight could simply not continue.

"Our sincere apologies to the band and their fans."

Taylor and the rest of the band returned to Instagram later to say they had put $5000 bar tabs on at seven Melbourne venues- totalling $35,000, for disappointed fans to "have a drink on us".

"We're not doggin' ya, it's because a bunch of people rushed the f---ing barriers and so it wasn't safe, and especially because it was all ages, we just can't have that, we don't want anyone having a s--- time," Taylor said.

Taylor also posted on her Instagram Story that she would be dealing with her frustrations by getting "blackout drunk somewhere in mourning".