Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Diversity redefined

Intrigued by the cancellation of an Israeli DJ named Dekel by a Golden Bay music festival, reportedly because he failed to publicly condemn his country's actions in Gaza, I checked out the website of the festival organisers, Twisted Frequency. Under a long statement outlining the organisers' high-minded values and principles, I found this:

"Diversity

"We firmly believe in the power of diversity and inclusion within the music industry. We recognize that gender and race diversity are not just buzzwords; they are essential elements that enrich the cultural tapestry of music and promote creativity, innovation, and unity. Across our crew rosters and our lineups we are always looking for opportunities to improve on this.

"We have a unique place in the underground scene here in Aotearoa and we want to be sure not to take that lightly, In an industry that has historically been dominated by certain voices, it is crucial to dismantle barriers and create a platform where artists from all backgrounds can thrive. By fostering gender and race diversity, we open doors to new perspectives, stories, and experiences that broaden our collective journey in music and art.

"We strive to amplify the voices of underrepresented artists, providing them with a platform to share their unique talents with the world. By doing so, we hope to inspire future generations and encourage aspiring musicians, artists and people from all walks of life to pursue their dreams fearlessly."

Hmmm. Hypocrisy is one word that comes to mind. Priggishness, bigotry and intolerance are three others.