Multiple hard techno DJs have been removed from festival lineups across Europe and beyond following a surge of allegations detailing sexual misconduct and abuse of power. The unfolding crisis, dubbed the genre’s “#MeToo” moment, began gaining momentum earlier this month with the circulation of accusations on social media, prompting swift responses from event organizers and agencies.
The initial wave of cancellations included performances by Shlømo, Basswell, CARV, and Odymel, all prominent figures in the hard techno scene. Dutch festivals Verknipt and Awakenings were among the first to announce they would no longer host the DJs, citing “serious allegations” as the reason for their decisions. Verknipt specifically removed Basswell, Carv, and Shlømo from upcoming shows, according to a statement shared on Instagram.
The allegations surfaced following posts from an Instagram account, @bradnolimit, identifying itself as a former representative of Steer Management, a well-known agency in the electronic music industry. The account shared screenshots of chat conversations and testimonies alleging a pattern of predatory behavior, including sexual harassment, unsolicited explicit images, and, in some cases, interactions with potentially underage fans. These claims quickly spread across online platforms, including Reddit and other electronic music communities.
Several festivals internationally have followed suit in removing the DJs from their lineups. Chile’s Respira Festival cancelled appearances from Shlømo and Basswell, while Malta’s Glitch festival announced that Odymel would no longer perform at its 2026 edition following an internal review. Indian event promoter Subvolt cancelled a scheduled performance by Shlømo on February 21st. The French agency Steer Management has suspended its collaborations with the artists involved, stating that “inaction is not an option.”
The accused DJs have offered varying responses. Shlømo has denounced the allegations as a “sustained campaign of defamation and harassment on social media,” maintaining his innocence. Odymel acknowledged an ongoing preliminary investigation and claimed his involvement in an alleged incident was due to “sexsomnia,” a rare sleep disorder characterized by sexual behavior during sleep. CARV admitted to sending intimate images but denied any non-consensual behavior or criminal activity.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate about safety and accountability within the electronic music industry. A collective called MeTooDJs launched on February 8th, describing itself as an “international listening and guidance device for victims of sexist and sexual violence in electronic music.” The group, largely composed of women professionals in the industry, reports having been contacted by “almost one hundred victims from various countries” and states that “several legal proceedings are underway with specialized lawyers.”
Belgian DJ Amelie Lens posted on social media, expressing frustration with the current state of affairs, stating, “We are tired. The dance floor is our home and the backstage is our workplace, but neither of them is safe for us.”
As of February 25th, no Dutch DJs have been named in connection with the allegations, according to reporting from NL Times. The situation remains fluid, with investigations ongoing and further developments anticipated.
