ADE severs affiliation with hard techno event featuring Shlømo over 'conflicting values'
Several artists on the bill had previously withdrawn from the event over the addition of the French DJ, who had a criminal complaint filed against him earlier this year
Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) has "revoked all official ADE affiliation" with hard techno promoters Komplott and Overgave, who had booked French DJ Shlømo to play a party during this year's conference.
The event was scheduled to take at the Panama venue during this year's ADE, on Wednesday 21st October, with the hard techno DJ being announced as the event's headliner last week. Several DJs on the line-up subsequently announced that they would not be playing the event in light of his presence on the bill.
In June, a criminal complaint was filed against the Taapion Records boss born Shaun Baron-Carvais "in relation to alleged acts of rape, psychological violence and death threats”. Baron-Carvais has denied these allegations.
In a statement shared to Instagram on Sunday, ADE announced its decision to revoke all official affiliation with Komplott and Overgave, explaining that the "stance adopted" by the event’s organisers "conflicts directly with ADE’s values, and is inherently insensitive to our role and mission of nurturing the electronic music scene, nightlife, and its communities.
"Under this decision, the organisers remain able to continue hosting the event, but not as part of the ADE umbrella. Whether the event proceeds independently remains the sole decision of the organisers and the host venue."
In a statement shared on Monday, Komplott and Overgave confirmed that the originally planned event would be cancelled, with the team behind the latter stating that their decision to book Baron-Carvais had been based on "various legal documents and additional documentation from management and booking agencies", which they said "provided sufficient grounds for us to proceed with the booking and take responsibility for it".
In February this year, Baron-Carvais was among a number of well-known artists working in the European hard techno scene to be met with accusations of misconduct, including reports of alleged sexual assault, prompting their removal from multiple events and the eventual closure of the Steer Management agency.
A French campaign group comprising electronic music professionals, lawyers, journalists and psychologists operating under the name METOODJS has gained prominence amidst the ongoing controversy. The group aims to act as an “international support and referral network for victims of sexist and sexual violence in electronic music”. You can find out more about METOODJS’ work here.
Over 1,500 artists will be appearing at this year's ADE conference , which takes place across the Dutch city from 21st to 25th October with the likes of Afrojack, HAAi, Boris Brechja, Eric Prydz, Kerri Chandler, Angel D'lite, DJ Stingray 314, Donato Dozzy in attendance.
