Techno DJs Dropped From Festival Line-Ups After Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Paris-based booking agency suspends collaborations as artists deny claims linked to leaked “techno-files”
Several high-profile techno DJs have been removed from festival line-ups and had performances cancelled following allegations of sexual misconduct linked to leaked screenshots and private messages circulated online.
The accusations surfaced last week after an Instagram account operating under the name “BradNoLimit” — claiming to belong to a former employee of the Paris-based booking and management agency STEER — published a series of screenshots and text exchanges involving multiple artists. The leak has been dubbed the “techno-files,” referencing high-profile document disclosures in other scandals.
The allegations concern several artists, including French DJs Shlømo and Basswell, US-French DJ Fantasm, Belgian DJ Odymel, and German DJ CARV. Most are represented by STEER.
In a public statement, STEER said it would suspend its collaboration with the artists named in the posts. “When allegations multiply and concern artists on our roster, inaction is not an option,” the agency wrote.
Event organisers across Europe have since cancelled appearances by several of the DJs as they review the situation.
Responses from the accused artists have varied. Kenzo Meservey, who performs under the name Fantasm, denied the allegations and described the publication of the material as defamatory. German DJ CARV acknowledged sending intimate images to women but stated that the exchanges were consensual and did not constitute criminal wrongdoing, while adding that “that doesn’t make it right.”
The individual behind the Instagram account claimed to have released the documents as an act of revenge against the agency, though the authenticity and full context of the screenshots have not been independently verified.
The controversy has sparked broader debate within the electronic music community about accountability, consent, and safeguarding in nightlife spaces. Festivals and promoters have increasingly faced pressure in recent years to respond swiftly to allegations involving performers, even before formal legal proceedings are initiated.
At the time of writing, no criminal charges have been publicly announced against the artists mentioned. Further developments may depend on whether alleged victims pursue formal complaints and whether authorities open investigations.
For now, the immediate impact has been visible on festival schedules, as organisers reassess bookings and public scrutiny continues to intensify across the European techno scene.