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The ANU Bar has reopened its last-curtains gig to offers from performers after controversy over the all-male lineup caused two bands, including Regurgitator, to pull out. ANU Union chair Tom Lindenmayer said on Wednesday the union had advertised a call out for more performers to be added to the ANU Bar Finale lineup. It was hoping for a more diverse line-up. The decision was made after concerns raised by students and union members about the all-male lineup and the organiser's response to criticism. The event's organiser, Greenrooms Canberra owner Garry Peadon, caused a stir online on Monday when asked on the event's Facebook page why no "women or non-binary" performers had been considered. "Why do I have [to] even think about this shit? What the f--- is a non binary?" Mr Peadon said on Facebook. The response and the resulting online spat caused headline act Regurgitator and Canberra band Slow Turismo to withdraw from the event on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Lindenmayer said Mr Peadon's "response to a lot of concerns was not in line with the values of the ANU Union or the ANU Bar in any way. "If more bands get in touch with us [we'll] work out a way incorporate them into the finale gig." "We'll be hosting an extra gig if people show their interest. We're just hoping that people come through." On Wednesday, Mr Peadon said despite the two bands pulling out, the controversy was helping sell more tickets. "Regurgitator sent me a lengthy email explaining their reasons; that's up to them," Mr Peadon said. "At this stage all the other bands are booked in and they've all said they're going on with it." He said the ANU Bar needed to do what it had to for its students, and he'd be meeting with its representatives next week to go over the new arrangement. In a statement Regurgitator said they'd withdrawn based on the organiser's response to criticism of the gender bias. "Music is not about gender but we can not ignore gender in regard to the ongoing practices of music as an industry," the statement said. "We have of course as expected received some rather flagrant flack for this decision. If you truly understand the band then you understand our decision." Slow Turismo bassist Louis Montgomery said on Tuesday the gig had become something the band didn't want to be a part of, but felt an opportunity to educate the promoter and others on gender issues had been missed. Mr Peadon had selected the lineup himself and said on Tuesday he had contacted some all-female bands to perform. The ANU Bar will be demolished in June. A person identifying as non-binary does not identify as one of the binary sexes, male or female.

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