Lithuanian DJ Ten Walls' Vancouver show cancelled for homophobic comments

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      A Lithuanian DJ, who was slated to perform in Vancouver in July, has faced career-destroying fallout after posting homophobic comments on his Facebook page.

      Ten Walls, who scored a U.K. hit with "Walking With Elephants", was scheduled to play several international festivals this summer.

      On June 3, however, he posted some antigay comments online, which he has since deleted.

      According to Gay Star News, Ten Walls, whose real name is Marijus Adomaitis and who also performs under the name Mario Basanov, stated on his Facebook page:

      I remember producing music for one Lithuanian musician, who tried to wash my brain that I don’t need to be so conservative and intolerant about them. When I asked him 'what would you do if you realized that your 16-year-old son’s browny [anus] is ripped by his boyfriend?' Well he was silent.

      He also allegedly stated "the good 90s…these people of different breed where [sic] fixed".

      He then compared homosexuality to pedophile abuse by Catholic priests.

      One of my first gigs in Ireland, on my way to [my] hotel I saw a church with a fence decorated with hundreds of baby shoes. Naturally I wondered why? Unfortunately a priest’s lie for many years was uncovered when children were massively raped. Unfortunately the people of other breed continue to do it and everyone knows it but does nothing.

      After the posting, music festivals began dropping him from their lineups.

      Statements denouncing Ten Walls' homophobic comments and announcing him being dropped from concert lineups have been issued by Creamfields, PITCH, and Urban Art Forms, as well as Sónar and Pukkelpop:  

      U.K. house artist Fort Romeau also announced on Facebook that he pulled out of a London show that he was scheduled to appear in with Ten Walls in November.

      Its [sic] easy to romanticise electronic music culture and imagine it as a bastion of social liberalism and progressive ideology but the reality is that it simply reflects the larger social context where homophobia and (particularly) sexism are normalised and worse, codified into law….so while cancelling one gig is hardly going to change the world, it does stand as a personal rejection of bigotry, fear and intolerance.

      Ten Walls posted an apology on Facebook on June 8.

      Last week I wrote a Facebook post that was wrong and completely out of character and the result was a badly written post that was unacceptable. It was never my intention to offend anyone. I’m really saddened by everything that has happened and I would like to apologise to everyone I’ve let down, especially to my friends in the gay community, and my fans. I now need to take a break and have cancelled my upcoming shows.

      Vancouver-based Blueprint was scheduled to present Ten Walls at Fortune Sound Club on July 30. However, the show has been cancelled.

      Blueprint posted this message on the event page on June 8.

      As most of you are well aware, Ten Walls has made some derogatory and completely unacceptable comments about the LGBT community that we cannot tolerate. As such, the appropriate response is the cancellation of this show. Refunds are available at points of purchase. Thank you.

      Ten Walls' booking agency issued a statement that they no longer represent him. Phonica Records has cancelled pre-orders for his new album Sparta.

      Although homosexuality was decriminalized in Lithuania in 1993, LGBT rights are limited and homophobia remains prevalent in the northern European country. 

      Update June 9:

      Toronto concert series Electric Island announced on Facebook on June 8 that they have also dropped Ten Walls from their lineup:

      The nature of the recent comments by Ten Walls are offensive, not acceptable and out of line with the fundamentals & spirit of the electronic music community we cherish. For these reasons, Ten Walls will no longer be performing at Electric Island.

      Comments

      3 Comments

      Rimantas Ambrozaitis

      Jun 9, 2015 at 7:30am

      While his postings may have had no malicious intent, I have no idea how, but I do suppose it is possible, why did he remove them later. He must know words do damage that goes beyond the cancellation of a few gigs?

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      Labas

      Jun 9, 2015 at 11:51am

      What 10 Walls fails to acknowledge is that house music was originally supported by both black and gay audiences. I am ashamed for his behaviour and disgusting comments especially since I am part Lithuanian myself. I do not share his views!!! I also understand that many still do so it could have to do with his upbringing. I am glad he was called out.

      0 0Rating: 0

      House music sucks anyways

      Jun 9, 2015 at 4:08pm

      Techno is better, house music is simply too soft & easy listening, techno is more edgy.

      0 0Rating: 0