UPDATE: Two days ago, Riot Fest posted on instagram a picture of the first wave lineup for 2021, and SWMRS wasn’t on it anymore. This is great news! This is what we wanted. And this is just one step into making sure predators don’t have a platform or a place in the scene. 

CW/TW: abuse an sexual assault

On July 20, The Regrettes’ frontwoman Lydia Night came out telling her experience with Joey Armstrong, the drummer of SWMRS. When he was 22, he abused and sexually coerced Lydia when she was only 16. The whole band knew about it and didn’t do anything about it. This happened even though the band seemed to be feminists and stand up for survivors, and it was all a lie even after their speeches at shows and claiming they were a safe space. 

Me, many other former SWMRS fans, and Regrettes fans, are asking Riot Fest to take them out of the lineup, because a band like that should not have a platform at this festival and should be held accountable. It would be nice if they were replaced with The Regrettes, but the number one priority is getting SWMRS off the lineup. This would show that Riot Fest actually cares about abuse and sexual assault survivors. 

Please sign this petition we don’t want this band that has broken the trust of many fans and bands to be able to gain a new audience and platform. They need to be gone and done, and removing them from a big festival like this could be a huge step. 

The way this band has treated Lydia Night is disgusting and unacceptable and I hope she gets justice.