Ben UFO, Laurel Halo and more slam Bloc promoter for “safe and boring” remarks
Bloc founder George Hull called modern dance music “tedious and diluted” and festival-goers “uptight, spineless hipsters” in a column earlier today.
DJs have reacted angrily to comments by the founder of Bloc, who followed the festival’s final weekender at Butlins in Minehead last week with a column explaining he was quitting rave promotion because modern crowds are “too safe and boring.”
George Hull also criticised “safe space” policies as “depressing”, writing in the Spectator: “Young people these days just don’t know how to rave”. The 32-year-old also complained that guests want shuttle services, vegan meals and WiFi at contemporary festivals.
Laurel Halo, who performed at the weekender, was among those who responded to the comments on Twitter. “Wow so the idea of a ‘safe space’ is tedious to this bloc dude? you’ve clearly never had your ass grabbed right after playing a set,” wrote the Berlin-based producer, adding she “personally thought it was great when decibel festival had posters that said essentially ‘be respectful, don’t be an asshole’.”
Ben UFO meanwhile tweeted that he “would rather hang out with kids who understand safe space policy and what it’s for than a grumpy old cunt who writes for the spectator… seems like boring old men draw out other boring old men always nice to see where people stand i guess”.
Check out further reaction below:
You've got to laugh at George Hull's comments – after taking everyone's money last week he then coats all his customers off. Class act.
— Paul Woolford (@PaulWoolford) March 18, 2016
Disappointed by @BLOCWKND article. Reductive and out of touch
— SIREN (@sirenldn) March 18, 2016
don't ref safer space policies as if they outline fire regulations instead of being about inclusivity and non-violtation of ppls bodies etc
— SIREN (@sirenldn) March 18, 2016
Imagine complaining about "safe and boring young people". In the flipping Spectator. https://t.co/X0WZsSLURM
— Tayo3000 (@DJTayo) March 18, 2016
How you gonna tell a generation of kids the fact they want to eat well and not take as many drugs than you is a bad thing?!
— DJ Moxie (@DJMoxie) March 18, 2016
So over old white men telling us 'how it used to be'
— DJ Moxie (@DJMoxie) March 18, 2016
George sat down in his comfiest armchair, in his smiley tshirt and pill print moschinos. He took a long sip of his tea and began to write.
— Mr♦Beatnick (@MrBeatnick) March 18, 2016
fucks sake george don't write articles on a festival comedown
— Ben UFO (@BenUFO) March 18, 2016
IN MY DAY WE HAD REAL DRUGS AND REAL MUSIC WITH REAL KICKDRUMS AND PONTINS DIDN'T EVEN HAVE BEDS
— Ben UFO (@BenUFO) March 18, 2016
@BenUFO ridiculous article. can't say i noticed much of a difference between bloc and a "rave" back in the supposed heyday. better sound now
— Optimo (Espacio) (@JDTwitch) March 18, 2016
@BenUFO I went to one rave "back in the day" I was robbed at knifepoint when I was high, took my pills and money. Bouncers were in on it.
— Celebrity DJ Artwork (@artworkmagnetic) March 18, 2016
