A SYDNEY music gig has been shut down by the licensing police because the band had too many members.

It’s the latest embarrassing fail as Sydney’s night-life struggles under the perception has been effectively shut down by draconian laws.

The band C.O. F. F. I. N, described as a “psychotic skate punk” outfit were due to play with “three chord, dumb arse punk’n’rock’n’rollers” the Vee Bees at the Nomad Brewery Company in Brookvale, in Sydney’s northern beaches, this Friday night.

But a Facebook post claimed that due to a ruling from the NSW Government only “one to three piece bands” were allowed to play.

C.O. F. F. I. N have four members.

The band sited an email from the brewery stating the “licensing police” had advised that having the band play was “going to be an issue”.

“They have imposed a rule on us that only one to three piece bands can play here so I’m sorry for the late notice but I am unable to have you play here as they will be here to enforce this and it will risk my liquor licence.”

The band said “a frenzy of efforts” was made to find an alternative venue but to no avail.

In a statement the NSW Office of Liquor and Gaming said the sticking point was that the brewery was not a live music venue.

“Since 2014, Nomads has held a wholesale/producer licence that allows for the tasting of products on the premises. The venue last year applied for an additional authorisation to allow the sale of alcohol on the premises at certain times.

“NSW Police requested the following condition: ‘Any live music and/or entertainment is to be restricted to soloists, duos and trios, and low background music and/or TV screens’.

“The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority took the police’s request into account when approving the authorisation with this condition. The licensee did not object to the noise condition being imposed.”

The brewery’s only recourse was to seek to have the license amended or seek a different licence altogether.

It comes just days after a Sydney Vivid Festival concert, part of a NSW Government initiative, was shut down at 9.30pm.

Held in the entertainment district of Kings Cross, Noise complaints reportedly led to the gig being halted early with some complaints beginning at 7.30pm.