Michael Franti

Soulshine At Sea has been cancelled in the wake of allegations made by Victoria Canal that their headliner, Michael Franti, abused and groomed her at the start of her career.

The four-day concert cruise was set to kick off in November, but organisers recently shared a statement explaining that the sold-out event has been axed. While they didn’t specify why, it comes in the wake of Franti being accused of abusive behaviour, which he has since denied.

In a lengthy statement preceded by a trigger warning for sexual abuse and grooming, Canal came forward with allegations last week, telling fans: “I am choosing my own freedom by sharing this with you all.”

As the Spanish-American artist detailed across a carousel of posts, the alleged abuse began when she was 19, when a “very powerful, decades-older man plucked me out of the internet, and college, and invited me on my first professional opportunity”.

Victoria Canal and Michael Franti of Spearhead during the ‘Stay Human’ tour, 2018. CREDIT: Johnny Louis/Getty Images

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She said that “as redemptive” as it would feel, she would not mention him by name, as she couldn’t risk the “financial loss or emotional terror a lawsuit would bring”. However, shortly after her post was shared, Tank And The Bangas announced that they’d dropped off their upcoming tour supporting Michael Franti & Spearhead.

“While we are not aware of any specific details related to the matter, in light of the recent post made about the artist, we have made the difficult decision to not participate,” their post read, and Canal thanked them for the support on her Instagram stories.

Later, artists scheduled to play at Soulshine At Sea – including Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Hirie, and Liz Vice – then announced they’d be withdrawing from the cruise because of allegations involving another artist on the line-up.

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After they pulled out, Franti responded to Canal’s post, which you can read in full above.

In his statement, he said he had been involved in a “romantic relationship” outside his marriage with an artist he worked with. “I’m aware of the recent posts this artist made about our relationship, and while I support her need to express herself publicly, the relationship was completely consensual, based on mutual feelings and attraction,” he said.

“I vehemently dispute any version of the story that says otherwise. I will however, take full accountability for not better recognizing the power imbalance as she was younger than me, and I was the headliner on tour,” he added. “For those reasons alone, I never should have allowed the relationship to become romantic.”

Earlier this morning, Canal addressed his statement on her Instagram stories, saying it was “challenging to read given the truth of my experience”.

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After writing that it was not in her “capacity to go to war on this” she thanked fans and peers for their support.

“I’m just truly grateful to be heard by a lot of you and supported in that healing. my life is mine, not his – and it feels monumental to reclaim that. all I can ask of myself is to stay present and enjoy my life, now that I’ve set myself, and the truth, free. what happens from now is not for me to carry on my shoulders.

“I had no agenda for sharing my story – I simply want to let go, and to let young women entering the world of music know to keep their eyes open and protect themselves.”

Soulshine At Sea organisers Sixthman shared that they were “actively working to announce a new event” that would embark on November 4, with additional details expected to be shared with ticketholders today (August 18).

They previously shared that all guests would be offered options regarding their reservations on the cruise, which include full refunds or future Sixthman credit. For more information, visit here.

For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.

The post Michael Franti denies Victoria Canal’s sexual abuse allegations after Soulshine cruise is cancelled appeared first on NME.