Hammersmith Palais closes

The Fall became the last band to appear at the Hammersmith Palais last night, 24 hours after former Clash star Paul Simonen took an axe to the stage.

Mark E Smith's band played the final show at the legendary venue and were involved in an altercation with a member of the crowd towards the end of the gig.

Smith - pictured during Sunday's concert - is reported to have totally ignored the historic occasion, prompting a member of the audience to rush the stage in protest.

After apparently launching into a speech criticising The Fall legend from the stage, he apparently eluded security before jumping into the crowd.

During closing song "Reformation", the NME reports that Smith told the crowd: "Thank you for allowing us into your security area."

Meanwhile, The Good, The Bad And The Queen played what was billed as the last show at The Palais, which has been sold for property development, on Saturday night.

Simonen, bass player in Damon Albarn's supergroup, pulled out a small axe during the show and chopped-out some of the stage as a momento.

The Clash immortalised the venue in their song "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" and Simonen told the crowd: "Before I go I think I've done enough to deserve a piece of the stage."