S. Samuel
New Zealand Odd Future fans hoping to see the West Coast crew perform at the Big Day Out annual festival will have to hold out as they have reportedly been taken off the bill over anti-gay controversy.
Details on the promotor’s decision to pull the plug on Odd Future hit the Internet this week.
The traveling festival — which hits several cities in Australia and New Zealand in January — was compelled to remove Odd Future after a local activist Calvin Bennachie, took his complaints to the Auckland City Council, which owns the venue, Mt. Smart Stadium, that Big Day Out uses to stage acts. (Entertainment Weekly)
Local activist Calum Bennachie has addressed the matter and held a firm stance against Odd Future.
“Lyrics such as those played by Odd Future increase the societal discourse against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, a discourse that encourages bullying and violence,” said Bennachie. “By allowing Odd Future to play at Big Day Out, you are proving that you have little concern for the lives and welfare of LGBT people, that you are willing to endanger their lives, and seek to encourage stigmatisation against them. I find this disappointing in an organisation that could do so much to enhance the self-esteem of youth, reduce stigma, and discourage violence.” (Billboard)
Despite the nixed OF set, the festival’s promoter hopes to do a separate show for them.
However, promoter Ken West is still keen on staging a show with Odd Future and is working with the group to arrange a separate headlining concert. He says, “We are currently in discussions with Odd Future and will be announcing their own solo show for Auckland in the coming weeks.” (Toronto Sun)
Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator previously shared his input on anti-gay slurs.
“I’m not homophobic. I just think f*ggot hits and hurts people. It hits. And gay just means you’re stupid. I don’t know, we don’t think about it, we’re just kids. We don’t think about that sh*t. But I don’t hate gay people. I don’t want anyone to think I’m homophobic. ([His friend] Jasper walks into the room) But he’s a f*cking f*ggot!” (NME Magazine)
Check out some recent Odd Future footage below:
