Napalm Festival Cancelled Due To Shitty Remarks About Dead Teenager by Promoter
For those of you who don’t know or remember, Sophie Lancaster was a British teenager who was kicked to death eight years ago while protecting her boyfriend. The two were targeted for being goths, or “moshers” as their attackers called them. Horrible? Yeah. Really, really horrible.
But not horrible enough for the people at Napalm Promotions! Those lovable scamps were forced to shut down their upcoming Napalm Festival in Manchester, England, after the company’s John Owen McTaggart made fun of Lancaster on the event’s page. Horrible? Yeah! Really, really horrible!
The comments have since been taken down, but here’s a screenshot via Metal Underground:
Since then, almost every band has dropped off the bill, forcing the festival to be canceled. Napalm Promotions has released the following lengthy apology:
Napalm Promotions posted this statement online after several bands dropped off the festival’s bill: “As I am sure everybody is aware, a few disgusting things were said yesterday by myself about Sophie Lancaster. I know that an apology is nowhere near enough but this is my best effort to right the wrong I know I have done. I apologise for how long this reply has took. The reason I have taken so long to comment is because I have been at work and have been unaware of the full extent of the situation until now.
“Yesterday, I said some immature and disgusting things. Things that i saw as being just that, stupid and immature jokes. What was posted was not meant to offend anybody, although I understand now just how stupid and irresponsible what I said was. And how offensive it must of been to those reading. It was ill minded of myself in thinking of making jokes so morbid. I understand that this is 100% unacceptable and fully regret my ill-mannered remarks. I personally feel a lot of regret for what I said, as I am sure you think I deserve, to which I agree. I must take responsibility and hold my hands up and admit that, I was 100% out of order. I feel ashamed to have let my family friends and also everybody who attending Napalms events down.
“I can only apologize for my actions, I have contacted a number of people apologizing directly before issuing this. I am very sorry to anybody who was upset by my disgusting remarks, which I am very ashamed by.
“Obviously, Napalm promotions may not be continuing, however I feel if there is anything we can do to ensure the gigs can continue then we will. I don’t think that bands/fans and the other member of Napalm (who wishes to remain anonymous) should have to suffer because of my personal stupidity. Obviously, some bands have now pulled out of Napalm festival which is only in 3 weeks due to my unacceptable behaviour, but if there is any solution to the gigs going forward without myself, for understandable reasons, I do hope they do. Fans and bands should not have to suffer for my stupid mistake.
“Once again, I would like to apologize to everybody who is offended by my stupid remarks. My thoughts and very deepest apologies go out to the Sophie foundation and Sophie’s family for any upset I have caused. I am currently in the process of contacting the family of Sophie to apologise personally for any upset caused. I am deeply ashamed of myself, and will not be asking for forgiveness. I understand now what I have done is deeply wrong, and I must face the consequences for my actions.”
There you go. Want your promo company to thrive? Don’t crack wise about fucking an innocent girl who died because she was dressed like one of your own.
The plus side of this is that Napalm Festival has been replaced by a Sophie Lancaster benefit show. You should attend if you can. There’s also a foundation in Sophie’s name, should you want to give to her family.
