The hard techno scene is facing one of its most serious confronting one of the most significant crises in its history. Over the past week, multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse have surfaced publicly against several high-profile artists within the scene, triggering cancellations, booking agency or management contract suspensions, and a broader industry conversation about power, misconduct, consent and responsibility.
The fallout has been swift. Promoters have removed artists from lineups, festivals have issued statements, booking agencies suspended collaborations, while Social media has become both a megaphone for accusations and a battleground for defense. What began as posts online has escalated into a structural moment for the genre, experiencing a defining moment of accountability.
The Allegations and Immediate Industry Response
Public accusations have been made against several artists associated with the hard techno circuit, including Shlømo, Odymel, CARV, Basswell, and Fantasm.
The allegations, shared primarily via social media, range from claims of inappropriate behaviors and coercion to spiking and accusations of sexual assault. At the time of writing, these remain public allegations, and no confirmed criminal convictions have been announced.
In response, multiple promoters and festivals including Verknipt, HIVE Festival, Face2Face, XXL, Digi Festival, Pyramid Ibiza, Sea You Festival… have acted preemptively, removing the named artists from upcoming lineups. Several events across Europe have issued statements emphasizing their commitment to safety and zero tolerance toward abuse. A major booking agency previously representing some of the artists has also suspended collaboration pending further clarity.
Other artists affiliated with the same network have publicly distanced themselves, cutting ties in solidarity with potential victims and signaling a broader shift in internal alignment within the scene.
Public Statements and Denials
The accused artists have issued varied responses. Some immediate and some curiously delayed, with various ways of denial.
Some have denied the allegations outright, framing them as defamatory or misrepresented. Others have acknowledged certain behaviors, such as explicit communication, while denying any non-consensual acts. In at least one case, an artist referenced a sleep-related disorder as part of their explanation.
The complexity of these responses underscores a central tension: the gap between legal decisions and public social media accountability. In nightlife spaces, where trust, vulnerability and intoxication often intersect, the court of public opinion moves faster than formal investigations.
A #MeToo Moment for Hard Techno or DJs in general?
For many observers, this moment feels like hard techno’s own #MeToo reckoning.
Electronic music was born from marginalized communities seeking liberation, queer, Black and underground spaces built around freedom of expression and bodily autonomy. Yet as the genre scales globally, now filling massive venues and festivals, questions about behavior behind the booth have grown louder.
Hard techno in particular has experienced explosive growth in recent years, with high-speed aesthetics and viral social media visibility elevating DJs into near-rockstar status. That rapid ascent has brought increased attention, and scrutiny.
The current controversy forces a deeper reflection: can a culture built on liberation tolerate silence around misconduct? And how should scenes respond when accusations surface in real time?
Beyond Individuals: Structural Responsibility
While the headlines focus on individual names, the larger issue is systemic.
Promoters, agencies, venues and festivals are being challenged to implement clearer codes of conduct, reporting mechanisms and transparent policies. Fans are demanding safer dancefloors. Artists are being asked not only to perform, but to embody accountability.
This is not a question exclusive to hard techno. It reflects a broader transformation across electronic music, one where cultural capital must now coexist with ethical clarity.
In this moment of crisis, various initiatives are stepping forward to offer structure and support. Grassroots collectives and industry bodies alike are mobilising resources to ensure that those affected by sexual misconduct within electronic music spaces are not left isolated.
Campaign group METOODJS is encouraging survivors of sexual assault to share their testimonies through an online submission form, with the goal of establishing a structured framework designed to provide a “trusted network to support victims of sexist and sexual violence within electronic music scenes.”
Meanwhile, the Association for Electronic Music AFEM sponsors a confidential support service for individuals affected by sexual harassment within the electronic music industry. Delivered in partnership with Health Assured, the program offers access to professional, confidential counselling, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for anyone seeking guidance, assistance, or emotional support.
At this stage, investigations and responses are ongoing. Some careers may stall or fall. Some allegations may be legally contested. Some narratives may shift as more information emerges.
But one thing is certain: the hard techno community cannot return to business as usual. Because a dancefloor is only liberating if it is safe.
📷 : Cover Photo Credits / NomadSoul1 – Envato Elements License
PS: This article reflects the situation as it currently stands based on publicly available information and statements at the time of publication. The allegations referenced remain claims, the investigations are currently on-going and no individual is considered guilty unless established by a judge or through a formal legal trial.
