Odd Future = Not Welcome at Voodoo 2012

It’s a shame that this is the first post from what was otherwise an epic festival weekend, but I found this to be a crazy story so here it ’tis… Apparently ODD FUTURE doesn’t like photographers. If the allegations are true, apparently they are also assholes – this is the NBC33 account of what went down during their set yesterday:

NEW ORLEANS, LA (NBC33) — An incident in the final hours of a three day music festival in New Orleans shocked fans, as well as organizers of the festival.

The hip hop collective Odd Future performed at the Voodoo Experience just before 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30. The group is based out of California and is known for its use of extreme explicit language and graphic lyrics that often depict violence against women. The imagery, however, became all too real at this performance.

The show got heated at the close of the first song when the lead vocalist known by his stage name, Tyler the Creator, 20, began addressing the crowd about his disliking for photographers. In his explanation he says that the barricaded area where the photographers work is not fair to the fans. Other members of the group backed up his words.

Vyron Turner, aka “Left Brain,” got physical with the less than two-dozen photographers in the pit area. He slung water at them, and then pushed and kicked cameras. The truly shocking moment was when he slapped freelance professional photographer Amy Harris across her face, knocking her camera to the ground.

“I have worked many shows before, and I’ve had to deal with a band flinging water at the photographers, but I never expected this to happen,” Harris told NBC33 News shortly after the incident occurred. “In the pit, the male to female ratio is about 20 to 1. There were way more men in that pit than women.”

Harris had a prearranged interview scheduled directly after the Odd Future show with festival CEO Steven Rehage. Harris informed Rehage of the incident and Harris says he immediately addressed the situation.

Harris declined the option to contact Police to file charges of assault. She also says her equipment was not damaged during the incident.

Odd Future was not available for comment.

The Voodoo Experience is held annually since 1999 in New Orleans’ City Park over Halloween Weekend. Although its primarily considered a rock festival, the roster of musical acts includes everything from funk, electronic, and hip hop.

October 31, 2011 | by Wesley Hodges | Festivals

About the author

Wesley grew up in coastal Georgia and is a former resident of The Music City and The Big Easy where he helped get LMB NOLA off-the-ground after launching in January 2011. Over the past few years, he has also contributed steadily to JamBase and Relix Magazine. Recently, Hodges moved on to L.A. where Abita Beer is hard to find, costs about $6 if located and impromptu parading in the streets will most likely get you arrested on the spot.

Tags: ODD FUTURE, The Creator, Tyler, Voodoo Experience