Unify Gathering drops I Killed The Prom Queen over ex-singer’s past anti-diversity comments

Plans by Adelaide outfit I Killed The Prom Queen to bring former singer Michael Crafter onstage during their set at the two-day Unify Gathering heavy rock festival has cost them the gig.

Festival organisers dropped the band from the second day’s (January 12) lineup, after they were alerted to anti-diversity comments made by Crafter in 2016.

Crafter has retracted and apologised for the comments on social media.

Unify Gathering is a co-founder and signatory of Your Choice, a policy launched with a number of other festivals for zero tolerance to bad behaviour and the creation of safe spaces.

Last Wednesday, when Unify Gathering announced its lineup, I Killed The Prom Queen’s set was advertised as a one-off reunion of the 2005 lineup to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of their debut album, When Goodbye Means Forever and play some songs that had not been performed for a decade.

The band posted a photo on Instagram (now deleted) of the current lineup with Crafter.

Immediately after the announcement, screenshots of Crafter’s 2016 comments appeared on the festival’s social media platforms.

He stated then: “End of the day a festival is about getting cunt [sic] to shows. Not giving someone a go cause it’s feel sorry for women in bands week.”

Unify moved quickly and pressed the Jettison button on the Adelaide outfit, saying: “These comments fall well short of today’s community standards and were considered deeply offensive to many people within our music community.

“These comments are completely unacceptable and contrary to our deeply held values and beliefs that music is for everyone and to be enjoyed by all.

“We want to create a culture of positive change within the music industry and it’s our responsibility to call out unacceptable behaviour wherever we see it.”

The decision was made after conversations with I Killed The Prom Queen.

The festival went on to say, “On reflection, we acknowledge that Michael Crafter shouldn’t have been chosen to appear at Unify Gathering 2019.

“We’d like to acknowledge that the members of the band have been really open and helpful in this conversation, and we wish them the best moving forward.”

Crafter apologised for his past statements before the band was dropped, and immediately after his involvement in the show was announced.

“Two years ago and plenty of time years previously, I said a lot of dumb stuff online to troll, cause drama and bait people to piss them off.

“Things I said then are not a reflection of who I am today, as two years is a long time.

“I completely understand why people are pissed off, and I am sorry and I really regret it.

“I want women to succeed in music, my daughter included if that’s the path she chooses. 

“I’m massive on being positive and pushing yourself and think my life nowadays is a reflection on that.”

However, not everyone is ready to forgive.

Camp Cope drummer Sarah Thompson dismissed the apology as “bullshit” and called Crafter the “biggest cunt on the internet”.

The expulsion of I Killed The Prom Queen leaves the only reunion at the festival by Sydney’s Hand Of Mercy.

The lineup has exclusive performances by Underøath, While She Sleeps, Crossfaith, The Plot In You, Dream State and State Champs.

Unified Gathering too was also criticised in some quarters for its male-heavy lineup.