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Sigur Ros close show at Margaret Court Arena with call for marriage equality

Rob Moran
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Icelandic post-rockers Sigur Ros have used their gig at Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena to offer a pointed protest at its controversial namesake.

The band closed their set with a powerful dig at the tennis great's recent homophobic comments, displaying the Australian Marriage Equality's rainbow logo on stage behind them as they walked off to rousing applause.

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Court, now a conservative church pastor, sparked backlash last month after she attacked the "gay lobby" and said she would boycott QANTAS over its support of same-sex marriage rights.

The comments sparked an instant backlash, including calls for Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena to immediately have its name changed. Tennis star Sam Stosur said players may even boycott next year's Australian Open, to be played at the venue, unless Court's name was stripped from the stadium.

Sigur Ros, fronted by openly gay singer-guitarist Jonsi, had previously issued a statement condemning Court's comments and commissioning a special t-shirt with proceeds going towards Australian Marriage Equality.

"We know Margaret Court's opinions are not shared by the majority of Australians. We want to add our voice to the call for marriage equality in Australia – right here on Margaret Court Arena itself," the band said in the statement last month.

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"Australia should be a country that celebrates positivity and inclusion, as well as achievement on the sporting field."

Their parting gesture at Thursday's gig was met with a standing ovation, according to reports from concertgoers.

Earlier in the week, touring US band LCD Soundsystem voiced a similar protest against Court at their gig in the Melbourne arena, with frontman James Murphy telling the audience, "I don't normally go after old people, but if you come after my family and friends, I'm going to come back at you."

"This is a nice room," he added. "We'd like to come back here next year and play - under a different name." 

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