Sleep cancelled its Australia/ New Zealand tour last week after allegations surfaced against Dave Cutbush, the tour’s promoter. Cutbush, who has since been removed from his company, Life Is Noise, had been accused of sexual misconduct. Chelsea Wolfe, who had been urged by fans over social media to avoid associating with Cutbush or his company and was scheduled for the same tour, released a statement.
Wolfe tells fans that “we don’t feel it would be right to continue working with him.” Wolfe explains that she’s dealt with her “own share of bullshit from men in this industry and beyond,” and that she’s glad people are speaking up “in order to create a better atmosphere for all.” She adds that the group hopes to reschedule the tour as soon as possible, and that she thanks everyone for understanding. Her statement spurred a number of other acts to reconsider, including Sleep.
Allegations against powerful men about sexual misconduct tend to derail all projects that they are currently involved in. The recent wave of accusations has unseated powerful figures who got away with what they did because of that power, and their industries’ unwillingness to condemn it. Musicians have the ability more than the promoters to call the shots if they band together and stick to their principles. Sleep’s tour cancellation is an example of musicians using their influence to create political and cultural change.
Photography Credit: Owen Ela
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