Aussie venues crack down on 'selfie' sticks

Self-confessed "selfie" fans will soon be forced to leave the selfie stick at home as an increasing number of Australian music venues and stadiums vow to crack down on the much-maligned device.

Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Domain Stadium in WA, Perth Arena, and Suncorp stadium in Brisbane have started warning punters they will be refused entry if they are found in possession of the sticks, Fairfax Media reports.

The promoter of the Soundwave music festival, AJ Maddah, said punters turning up to his festival would be forced to surrender their sticks.

"It is just the ultimate expression of narcissism (and we are) not going to tolerate one person using them," Maddah said.

"Most of them are pointed at the stage with kids taking photos. But I think the one that kind of put it in perspective for me was there was a band set going and a young girl pointed it at herself.

"It took every fibre of resistance I had not to just grab the stick off her and kick her out.

"But then I figured she may have possibly paid for her ticket and so I resisted."

If people show up with the sticks, Maddah said they would be put in a provided cloakroom.

"It is insane that people don't have enough courtesy to care about the people around them," Maddah said.

"Just don't bring them."

Source: Fairfax Media