Warehouse Concert Hall, a popular music venue in St. Catharines, will be hosting a performance by Sun Kill Moon this Wednesday, Sept. 9, despite sexual misconduct allegations against frontman Mark Kozelek.
In August 2020, one of the largest music publications, Pitchfork, released an article alleging three separate accounts of sexual misconduct perpetrated by Mark Kozelek, the vocalist of Sun Kill Moon and Red House Painters. Shortly after that article was released, the publication published an article detailing seven more women who accused the singer of sexual misconduct. The article details a range of allegations, including emotional manipulation and physical assault.
The singer-songwriter has denied these allegations, providing the following statement:
“It is important that I publicly and unconditionally deny that I engaged in the inappropriate and disturbing incidents falsely depicted in the media. While I support the important work of addressing legitimate claims of sexual misconduct, I reject the false allegations and innuendo in the recent press.”
Kozelek has toured over the years since these allegations were first presented. He is currently on the Canadian leg of his North American tour.
The tour was originally set to finish off at The Seahorse Tavern in Halifax, Nova Scotia. However, the venue announced its decision to cancel the show in an Instagram post stating the following:
“Listening to our community is of the utmost importance, and we are grateful to those who brought this misstep to our attention and apologize to anyone who felt their voice was left unheard.”
The way fans and venues have chosen to respond to allegations like Kozelek’s opens a broader conversation about sexual misconduct in the music industry.
Tim Fowler, an instructor focusing on intersections of Popular Culture and Political Science at Brock University, spoke to me about his perspective. He says that allegations of sexual misconduct in music are disappointing, but not surprising.
“Behaviour like this has been going on in music for as long as there’s been a music industry,” Fowler says.
Still, allegations of sexual misconduct within the perceived safe spaces of alternative music can challenge the culture and community associated with the scene.
Much of Fowler’s disappointment extends beyond individual artists, shifting instead to the wider music industry and its response to allegations.
“A great deal of my disappointment is directed at fans who seemingly simply don’t care, and to music labels, those in the industry, and venues who still platform artists like Sun Kill Moon. […] Women face major barriers to becoming full participants in music, both in the industry and as fans, and none of this helps make music an inclusive and safe space.”
As of writing, the show is still set for Sept. 9 at Warehouse Concert Hall in St. Catharines. Though promotional material on the venue’s website has been removed, Sun Kill Moon’s personal website and promotional team still confirm the show will be held at the venue.
Warehouse Concert Hall has not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.