Country music icon Chris Stapleton left Australian fans in shock this week after bluntly rejecting one of the continent’s weirdest concert rituals—the infamous “shoey”—during his sold-out Sydney show. The Grammy winner, known for his gritty voice and no-nonsense persona, raised eyebrows when he shut down cheers from the crowd to drink beer from a fan’s sweaty shoe, calling the practice “a hard pass.”
The “shoey,” a beloved (and polarizing) Aussie tradition, involves artists or audience members chugging alcohol from a shoe—often a worn sneaker—to hype up the crowd. Global stars like Post Malone, Metallica, and even Keith Urban have embraced the ritual, but Stapleton wasn’t having it. Video footage shows the “Tennessee Whiskey” singer laughing off the shoe thrust toward him mid-concert, saying, “Y’all are wild, but I’m keeping my dignity tonight.”
Fan reactions exploded online, with some Aussies calling the snub “un-Australian” while others praised Stapleton for “keeping it real.” One TikTok user posted, “Respect for not faking it, but mate… you’re in Australia!” Others joked about the hygiene risks: “Smart man. Who knows where that shoe’s been?”
Local culture expert Dr. Emily Harper told The Daily Star that the shoey’s origins trace back to motorsport circles but admit it’s “an acquired taste.” “International artists often play along to bond with fans, but Stapleton’s refusal shows he’s sticking to his brand—raw authenticity over gimmicks,” she said.
Stapleton hasn’t commented further, but insiders say the move hasn’t hurt his Down Under appeal. His remaining tour dates still sold out in minutes, proving that even without shoe-chugging, fans are here for the music. Still, the internet is begging the question: Would a cowboy boot ‘shoey’ have been more on-brand?
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