Photo credit: Raymond Flotat
Indie-rock band Speedy Ortiz are changing the game in the area of show security. The Massachusetts-based group recently announced the creation of their hotline to keep fans feeling safe.
With the band’s successful April release of Foil Deer, featuring songs like “The Graduates” and “Raising the Skate,” both of which have videos to accompany the tracks, Speedy Ortiz now seeks to improve the comfort of their fans.
NME shared the post vocalist Sadie Dupuis shared about their plan via Facebook.
574-404-SAFE will be the number fans can text if they are being harassed or feel any sort of unsafety at a Speedy Ortiz show. The band explained the hotline would work by texting the members, who would then work with venue security to help those in need.
In the band’s statement about the hotline, they stated any intolerances will not be tolerated at their shows.
Prejudicial, oppressive language and aggressive behaviors of any kind are unacceptable to us. This includes, but is not limited to: racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and all other oppressive and marginalizing actions and microaggressions.
Dupuis also urges other bands to establish similar safety precautions for their fans, according to Twitter.
For more from Speedy Ortiz, listen to their new demo “Basketball” and their new cover of “Hanging Around” by The Cardigans.