The official lineup for ElectroniCON 2023 was unveiled last week, revealing John Maus as one of the headliners alongside festival co-curator George Clanton and other notable artists such as Doss, Rxk Nephew, and James Ferraro. The event, scheduled for August 25-26 at New York City’s Knockdown Center, experienced a recent change as Maus will no longer be performing as a headliner. Following widespread criticism from fans across various social media platforms regarding Maus’ presence at the vaporwave festival, George Clanton expressed his regret and issued an apology, stating that Maus had agreed not to participate.
“In light of the response from our ElectroniCON community of performers and fans, we have made the decision to proceed with this year’s festival without John Maus,” the statement affirmed. “As the curator, I, George Clanton, would like to apologize to everyone who felt overlooked by this lineup decision, as well as the artists who were unintentionally involved in the ensuing controversy. ElectroniCON is renowned for its emphasis on outsider, underground electronic music and its inclusive environment. We meticulously selected venues that have historically provided a safe space for POC and LGBTQ+ individuals. Our utmost priority is to ensure that our POC and LGBTQ+ fans and artists feel secure and welcome at our event.”
Maus had been featured in the now-canceled Adult Swim series “Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace” in 2016, a show associated with alt-right figure Sam Hyde. Many artists whose music was included in the series swiftly distanced themselves from the show and Hyde’s ideologies. In 2017, Maus disavowed Nazism in an interview but fell short of apologizing for his involvement in the series, stating, “The people I met were decent. They were not engaging in acts like cross burnings.” He also emphasized his desire to exclude hateful individuals from his shows, declaring, “If you would stand by and watch a trans person being brutally attacked just because they are trans, then fuck you.”
In today’s statement, Clanton mentioned Maus’ previous statements as part of the rationale behind his initial decision to include him in the ElectroniCON 2023 lineup. “As long-time admirers of John Maus’ music, we took into account his lyrics, the diverse crowds he has attracted during recent festival performances, and his explicit condemnation of white supremacy, fascism, and violence against the LGBTQ+ community. We believed that these factors would ensure that his presence at ElectroniCON would not attract a hostile audience,” the statement clarified. “Unfortunately, we underestimated the divisiveness that this booking would generate within our community, and we did not anticipate the potential escalation of toxic exchanges from the online realm into our concert space. John Maus and his team agreed that stepping away from the show would be the best course of action for everyone involved.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Controversy
Why was John Maus removed from the ElectroniCON 2023 lineup?
John Maus was removed from the ElectroniCON 2023 lineup due to the controversy and negative response from fans on social media platforms. The festival co-curator, George Clanton, apologized for the decision and stated that Maus agreed not to perform.
What was the reason for the controversy surrounding John Maus’ presence at the festival?
The controversy stemmed from Maus’ prior involvement in the canceled TV series “Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace,” which was associated with alt-right figure Sam Hyde. Many artists who had their music featured on the show distanced themselves from it and Hyde’s views. Although Maus disavowed Nazism in an interview, he did not apologize for his involvement in the series, which led to further criticism.
What was George Clanton’s response to the controversy?
George Clanton, the festival co-curator, expressed his regret and issued an apology for the booking decision. He cited Maus’ previous statements denouncing white supremacy, fascism, and violence against the LGBTQ+ community as a reason for including him in the lineup. However, Clanton acknowledged underestimating the division caused within the community and the potential for a toxic environment, leading to the decision to remove Maus from the show.
How does ElectroniCON prioritize inclusivity?
ElectroniCON aims to create an inclusive environment for its POC and LGBTQ+ fans and artists. The festival carefully selects venues that have a history of providing a safe space for these communities. The organizers are committed to ensuring that their singular event does not become an unsafe space and prioritize the well-being of all attendees and performers.
More about Controversy
- ElectroniCON Official Website
- John Maus Official Website
- George Clanton Official Website
- Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace
2 comments
Wow, dis is a mess. John Maus got cancelled bcoz of his past, but George Clanton apologizin. I mean, how did they not know dis wud cause so much drama? #ElectroniCON2023
John Maus messed up big time. Should’ve known better than get involved with alt-right stuff. Props 2 George Clanton 4 makin the right call. Let’s hope ElectroniCON can still be lit without him. #Controversy