Wallowing, Mastiff, and Tutherun navigate controversy over safe spaces with NoBeef Promotions

UK doom/sludge outfits Wallowing and Mastiff have canceled their scheduled gig at The Peer Hat in Manchester, UK on September 15 following controversy surrounding the promotion company and the opening band, Tutherun. Additionally, Tutherun have been removed from the Liverpool support slot on September 17. 

NoBeef Promotions initially removed Tutherun from the Manchester event, citing concerns over creating a safe space for attendees. The reason provided to the band was that Tutherun's singer's other band was slated to perform at a festival in Leeds, and a member of a different band on the festival bill had been accused of sexual assault. 

After the band was removed from the show, NoBeef deleted their public statement and failed to provide any clarification, leading Tutherun to feel unjustly targeted. 

Tutherun, in response, expressed confusion over the situation and stated that neither they nor their singer's other band had any involvement or knowledge of the situation at hand. The only association for the singer's other band was a shared stage with the accused at the festival. 

The band shared:

To say that we are utterly confused and saddened by the situation that unfolded yesterday is a massive understatement. We felt we had to explain the situation given the implications of the public statements. First and foremost, we are absolutely committed to making our gigs, and gigs more generally, safe spaces where people from a diversity of genders, sexualities, and races are able to participate fully and enjoy themselves.

Yesterday, we were informed by No Beef Promotions that we had been removed from our support slot at the Wallowing/Mastiff Manchester show. The reason given was that our singer's other band are playing at a festival in Leeds, and that a member of a different band on that bill has been accused of sexual assault. Of course, we absolutely condemn this and stand in solidarity with victims of sexual violence. We cannot comment on that particular situation as we do not know the details, but these accusations have nothing to do with any members of Tutherun, nor our singer's other band, who have also done nothing wrong. The only tenuous link is that our singer's other band would have been sharing a stage with the accused, which we presume countless other bands will also be doing without any knowledge of the situation.

However, the public statement made by No Beef Promotions (now deleted) did not clarify any of this. We feel that to publicly name Tutherun, and not the band in question, when we have nothing to do with the situation is slanderous and undermines the ultimate goal of making gigs a safe space for all to attend. Understandably, Wallowing also do not want to be associated with anything that goes against the safe space at gigs principles, so we have also been removed from the Liverpool support slot as well as a result of the No Beef public statement. This turn of events has been absolutely shocking for us, and we feel that our name has been dragged through the mud. Wallowing and Mastiff have pulled the Manchester date, and that is something we wholeheartedly support. We were very much looking forward to sharing a stage with these two incredible bands.

Again, we would like to make it perfectly clear that Tutherun as a band stand in unity with any safe space, and the arrangements of that space, in order to make people feel welcome and comfortable at gigs. We work extremely hard as a band to create music and have poured in an unbelievable amount of time, energy, and money into what we love. To have our name associated with despicable acts such as this has been incredibly difficult for us, and we wanted to let you know the situation as it has been communicated to us.

Wallowing had originally distanced themselves in response to the NoBeef statement by removing Tutherun from both the Manchester and Liverpool support slots and emphasizing their support for safe spaces in general. 

After Tutherun clarified the situation and NoBeef's statement was removed, Wallowing was forced to revise their earlier stance. The band acknowledged that the allegations against Tutherun were unsubstantiated, and pointed out the difficulties of navigating the situation due to their lack of personal knowledge about any of the parties involved. 

Wallowing stated:

We supported the removal of Tutherun from these shows in good faith based on No Beef's original account of the situation, which differed from the statement made in their (now deleted) statement. Since then it has become increasingly apparent that these allegations against Tutherun are completely unsubstantiated. We hope it is understood this has been an incredibly difficult situation for us to navigate, as we do not personally know any of the parties involved, and we truly appreciate everyone's patience on this matter. As always, our first priority will be the safety and comfort of everybody at our events.

Mastiff weighed in on the situation:

We'll be sharing a few posts today concerning the debacle that our scheduled performance in Manchester on 15th September has turned in to. 

For future reference, if anyone is arranging a show that they cannot guarantee will be a safe and inclusive space or they have insidious motives for arranging said show, DO NOT ASK US TO PLAY. 

Drama and vendettas make what we do a lot less enjoyable and we're all here to have a good time, right?

Lambgoat reached out to NoBeef for comment and has not heard back. 

The canceled show has been rescheduled as a free show Boom Leeds after a decision was made to distance themselves from the original venue. The show on September 17 in Liverpool will proceed as scheduled. Neither show will feature Tutherun on the bill.

Wallowing shared:

We are pleased to share that after a nightmareish few days our show next Friday 15th will now take place at @boomleedsvenue. Sorry to any Manchester folk who were hoping to catch us, given the events of the last few days we felt best to get some distance from the original show.

To address the events that have taken place since Tuesday; We are now aware that these allegations against Tutherun were unsubstantiated (see the update on our original post) and we will be reaching out to them shortly.

Thank you for everyones patience over the last few days whilst we reviewed the rapidly changing information that we have received - we hope to catch everyone at Boom next Friday.