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Unacceptable: Singer Gavin Adcock Slings Beer at Photographers and Security at Texas Concert

By Larry Philpot on April 10, 2025

On Saturday night, April 5, at the Two Step Inn Music Festival, in Georgetown, Texas, country singer Gavin Adcock walked onto the stage with a bottle of whiskey, addressed the crowd and launched into his first song. A couple minutes later, he put the bottle down and picked up a beer. After cracking the beer, and drinking a little, I believe he started another song. He walked to the edge of the stage, and slung the beer back and forth, spraying the front of the stage, and photo pit holding photographers and security, then chucked the can to the crowd.

File Photo: Gavin Adcock performs in Georgetown, Texas at the Two Step Inn Festival on April 5, 2025. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

File Photo: Gavin Adcock slings beer on the photo pit before firing the can into the crowd, in Georgetown, Texas at the Two Step Inn Festival on April 5, 2025. The sparkles in the photo are beer. (Photo Credit and Copyright; Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

This immediately caused Security to jump onto the barricades, waving their arms to stop the audience from throwing their beer cans to the stage. They were unsuccessful, but got control of it.

This incident comes amid a time where artists are being hit by thrown objects, and they’re warning the audience not to throw things at the stage. If someone from the crowd would have thrown a beer and it hit one of his Gibson Les Pauls, I wonder what would have been the consequences. Concert venues have zero tolerance for fans throwing things.

To be sure, this wasn’t “Just being an Outlaw”, it wasn’t “Cute” — it’s juvenile. The camera gear I had exceeded $12K in cost, (more than a Les Paul) and doesn’t need to be showered with beer. While I doubt he meant to shower Security, or the photographers deliberately, it was a “dick” move.

Apparently, this is his act. My guess is when someone thinks they lack the talent, they need a gimmick, so they play dress up in a Waylon Jennings costume and throw beer at the crowd. This is absolutely unacceptable at a concert, or anywhere.

Adcock just got called out for this in national news yesterday, by another country artist, here:

On July 29, 2023, at Drai’s Beachclub in Las Vegas, Cardi B was splashed with a drink thrown by a fan. In response, she hurled her microphone into the crowd, striking the culprit, who was then dealt with by security. The incident sparked widespread discussion online.

On June 28, 2023, while performing in Boise, Idaho, Kelsea Ballerini was hit in the eye by a bracelet thrown from the crowd. Startled, she stepped back, took a brief intermission, and later returned, reassuring fans she was fine but urging them not to throw objects.

This situation was uncalled for. The list below highlights a troubling trend in concert culture, with performers increasingly facing physical interruptions. The warnings from artists like Adele and Ballerini reflect a growing call for respect and safety at live events.

Other Performers Hit by Objects Thrown by Fans

Bebe Rexha
Incident: On June 18, 2023, during a concert at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City, Bebe Rexha was struck in the face by a cellphone thrown by a fan. The impact caused her to drop to her knees, and she was rushed to the hospital, resulting in a black eye and stitches. The perpetrator, Nicolas Malvagna, was arrested and charged with assault, later claiming he thought it “would be funny.”
Harry Styles
Incident: Styles has faced multiple incidents. On July 8, 2023, in Vienna, Austria, he was hit in the face by an unidentified object (possibly a rose), causing him to wince and hold his eye before continuing his set. On November 14, 2022, in Los Angeles, he was struck in the eye by Skittles candy, visibly struggling to perform afterward. Earlier, on October 14, 2022, in Chicago, an object hit him in the groin, prompting a brief pause as he doubled over in pain.
Drake
Incident: On July 5, 2023, during the opening night of his “It’s All a Blur” tour in Chicago, Drake was hit on the wrist by a cellphone while performing. Uninjured, he continued his set without addressing the incident directly.
Pink
Incident: On June 25, 2023, at BST Hyde Park in London, a fan threw a plastic bag containing their mother’s ashes onto the stage. Pink appeared visibly uncomfortable, asking, “Is this your mom?” before setting it aside. The previous day, she was handed a wheel of brie cheese, which she accepted with more amusement.
Steve Lacy
Incident: On October 21, 2022, at the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans, Lacy was hit in the stomach by a disposable camera. Frustrated, he smashed it on stage and told fans not to throw items, abruptly ending the show shortly after.
Lady Gaga
Incident: In August 2022, during her Chromatica Ball tour in Toronto, Gaga was hit by a teddy bear while performing. She maintained composure and continued her set. Earlier instances, like a Dr. Simi doll thrown in Germany, were deflected by stage effects or her quick reflexes.
Lil Nas X
Incident: On July 1, 2023, at Lollapalooza Stockholm, Lil Nas X dodged an unidentified sex toy thrown onto the stage. He paused briefly but resumed his performance without further comment.
Billie Eilish
Incident: On December 13, 2024, during a concert in Arizona, Eilish was hit in the face by an object thrown from the crowd. Fan footage captured her wincing and turning away, though she continued performing after a brief pause.

Performers Who Warned Against Throwing Objects

Adele
Warning: During her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace in July 2023, Adele addressed the trend of objects being thrown at performers. Holding a T-shirt gun, she said, “Have you noticed how people are forgetting fucking show etiquette? I fucking dare you. Dare you to throw something at me, and I’ll fucking kill you,” blending humor with a stern message.
Kelsea Ballerini
Warning: After being hit by a bracelet in Boise on June 28, 2023, Ballerini returned to the stage and pleaded, “Don’t throw things, you know? I just want it to be a safe place for everyone,” emphasizing safety for herself, her crew, and fans.
Charlie Puth
Warning: Though not hit himself, Puth tweeted on June 29, 2023, “This trend of throwing things at performers while they are on stage must come to an end. It’s so disrespectful and very dangerous. Please just enjoy the music I beg of you,” in response to incidents involving Rexha, Max, and Ballerini.
Billie Eilish
Warning: While not explicitly quoted from the Arizona incident, Eilish has historically discouraged disruptive behavior. In past shows, she’s paused performances to ensure fan safety, suggesting a general stance against such actions.