Artists including Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Hirie, and Liz Vice were initially scheduled to perform at the Soulshine at Sea 3 festival. However, as artists began to withdraw from the lineup, festival promoter Sixthman announced the cancellation of the event, which was set to be headlined by Michael Franti from November 4-8.
Sixthman issued a statement on Soulshine at Sea’s website, revealing that the event has been canceled due to recent developments. They mentioned they are actively planning a new event for the same dates in 2025, with more details to be announced soon. The cruise was originally intended to sail from Miami to Cozumel aboard Norwegian Jewel, offering a mix of wellness activities and performances.
In light of these cancellations, Franti addressed the situation on social media, confirming he was in a “relationship” with another artist, despite being married. He acknowledged the relationship was consensual but expressed regret about the power dynamics involved.
Franti emphasized, “I wholeheartedly dispute any inaccurate portrayals” of the relationship. He accepted responsibility for not recognizing the potential imbalance in their dynamic, given his position as the headliner and her younger age. Both Sixthman and Franti’s representatives did not respond to requests for further comment from Rolling Stone.
Several artists withdrew due to serious allegations made against another individual in the lineup. “We’ve learned of troubling public allegations regarding another artist and have decided to step back from the event,” Dispatch communicated on social media. They expressed regret for any inconvenience this decision might cause.
Maggie Rose shared her own reasons for withdrawing via Instagram, stating her support for a peer’s allegations against another performer. Hirie also commented, explaining her choice to pause participation out of respect for the situation. Liz Vice echoed similar sentiments, deciding to step away due to the concerning allegations reported.
Musician Victoria Canal drew attention to these dropouts by resharing their statements. Earlier, she had accused an unnamed powerful individual in the industry of sexual abuse, explaining the lasting impact this experience had on her over the years. Canal’s post detailed manipulative behaviors and emotional consequences without revealing identities, choosing instead to protect herself from potential repercussions.