Riley Green Hit in Face with Phone During Concert: Incident & Rising Trend

Riley Green was struck in the face by a cell phone thrown from the audience during his performance at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena on Saturday, March 14, briefly halting his “Cowboy As It Gets Tour” show. The incident, which left the country singer bleeding near his eye, is the latest in a concerning trend of concertgoers throwing objects at performers.

The moment, captured by fans in attendance, shows a phone impacting Green’s face mid-song. Crew members immediately rushed to his aid, using a towel to stem the bleeding as the arena fell silent. Green addressed the crowd, making it clear such behavior was unacceptable, and security quickly removed the individual responsible. He later shared footage of the incident and a photo of himself receiving medical attention on his Instagram Stories.

A Growing Concern: Onstage Assaults

This incident isn’t isolated. In recent years, artists across genres have faced similar attacks. Pop singer Bebe Rexha was struck in the face by a thrown phone during a concert in New York City in 2023, requiring stitches. Country star Zach Bryan was forced to stop a show in Tacoma, Washington, late last year after an object hit a member of his band onstage. Harry Styles, Kelsea Ballerini, Cardi B, and Drake have as well been targets of audience-thrown projectiles.

Melbourne Stop on a Sold-Out Australian Run

Green’s Melbourne performance was the second of two sold-out nights at Margaret Court Arena. The Australian leg of the “Cowboy As It Gets Tour” has been a success, with the artist also slated to perform in Sydney on March 16 and 17. He’s also co-headlining CMC Rocks QLD in Ipswich, Queensland, on March 20. Tickets for the Melbourne shows started at $99.90 AUD via Ticketek (Ticketek Australia).

From Ridin’ Hearts to Headline Status

Green’s Australian debut came as a headliner at the Ridin’ Hearts Festival, and this 2026 tour marks a significant step up in his presence Down Under. He’s also set to headline CMC Rocks QLD alongside fellow US country stars Jordan Davis and Ancient Dominion. The Melbourne shows featured support from Braxton Keith, Jake Worthington, and Australian artist Bella Mackenzie, with a running order that saw Mackenzie take the stage at 7:00 pm, followed by Worthington at 7:30 pm, Keith at 8:15 pm, and Green closing out the night at 9:20 pm (times approximate and subject to change).

Recent Successes and Upcoming Projects

Green is enjoying a period of considerable success in country music. His third studio album, Don’t Mind If I Do, delivered his first solo Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 with “Worst Way” in mid-2025. He also took home Single of the Year at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards for his collaboration with Ella Langley, “You Look Like You Love Me.” He recently released a deluxe edition of Don’t Mind If I Do, adding six new tracks to the project. Following his Australian dates, Green will embark on a North American leg of the “Cowboy As It Gets Tour” beginning in April.

Margaret Court Arena Logistics

For those attending future events at Margaret Court Arena, the venue recommends utilizing public transport, with gates opening at 6:00 pm. Attendees can access the arena via Gate 1 (Tanderrum Bridge) for General Admission or Gate 3 (Garden Square) for Reserved Seating and VIP access. Parking is available at the Eastern Plaza Car Park, but pre-booking is strongly advised (Margaret Court Arena). Bags must be A4 size or smaller.

Tour Momentum and the Broader Conversation

Despite the unsettling incident, Green finished his Melbourne set, demonstrating a commitment to his fans and his performance. The incident underscores a growing concern within the music industry regarding fan behavior and artist safety. Whereas the vast majority of concertgoers are respectful, the increasing frequency of these incidents is prompting venues and artists to consider additional security measures. The incident also sparked conversation online, with fans expressing outrage and support for Green. Lines, a concert discovery app, also highlighted the event on their platform (LINES).

Looking ahead, Green’s team will likely work closely with venues to enhance security protocols for the remainder of the tour. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for respectful concert etiquette and the importance of protecting artists from harm.