Multiple Techno DJs Removed From Events

The wave of allegations centers on prominent figures in the hard techno scene, including French DJs Shlømo and Basswell, German DJ CARV, Belgian DJ Odymel, and US-French DJ Fantasm. Shlømo is a significant figure in the genre, having founded Taapion Records in 2013 to support emerging artists. Basswell is known for his fast-paced, rave-inspired tracks like "Bass Down Low," which has garnered millions of streams. The accusations were amplified by an Instagram account under the handle "BradNoLimit," reportedly run by a former employee of the Paris-based booking agency Steer Management, which represented many of the accused artists. In response, Steer Management suspended its collaboration with the involved artists, stating, "inaction is not an option." A number of other artists on the agency's roster have also since announced they are no longer working with the company. The response from the accused has been varied. Shlømo has denied the allegations, calling them "slander." CARV admitted to sending intimate images but denied any non-consensual or criminal behavior, and has since announced he is quitting his career. Odymel attributed an alleged incident of physical sexual abuse to sexsomnia, a rare sleep disorder, claiming he has no memory of the event. This situation has been dubbed the hard techno scene's "#MeToo" moment, drawing comparisons to previous reckonings in the electronic music world. In 2020 and 2021, techno pioneer Derrick May was dropped from festivals like Awakenings after numerous allegations of sexual misconduct spanning decades. Similarly, the death of DJ Erick Morillo in 2020 came as he was facing a sexual battery charge, which led to more women coming forward with accusations. In the wake of the recent allegations, numerous festivals have removed the accused DJs from their lineups, including Verknipt, Awakenings, DGTL, and Pitch Music & Arts. A spokesperson for Verknipt stated, "The safety of our attendees is paramount," while Awakenings noted, "distancing ourselves is the right decision." This has intensified the call for more robust "safer spaces" policies at events. Initiatives like the Association of Independent Festivals' "Safer Spaces at Festivals" campaign, which has over 100 signatories, advocate for zero-tolerance policies on harassment, clear reporting procedures, and staff training. Advocacy groups are also emerging, such as MeTooDJs, which aims to provide a support network for victims of sexual violence within the electronic music community.