John Askew puts DJ community on blast, Carl Cox, Alan Fitzpatrick, and Seth Troxler respond – Dancing Astronaut

by: Chris Stack May 6, 2020

John Askew has been an influential figure in the trance and techno scenes for over fifteen years—known largely for his stainless, gimmick-free reputation. His career has taken on the “all about the music” ethos. As a result, he doesn’t hesitate to take to social media when something doesn’t smell right.

Recently, Carl Cox, Seth Troxler, Alan Fitzpatrick, Dubfire, Nicole Moudaber, Joseph Capriati, and Jamie Jones joined in on a video promotion that blew up thanks to the rant from Askew. The campaign had the iconic artists’ tour managers release their own mix on Bandcamp, including songs from each of the DJs. All proceeds were to be evenly distributed among the managers involved.

Askew took issue with this. In an Instagram video post, Askew posed the question: Why are millionaire celebrity DJs asking their fans to donate money to their out-of-work tour managers rather than using their own money to pay their salaries out of their own deep pockets?

The video goes on to showcase an enraged Askew who mentions “Some of these DJs were heroes to me but now any and all respect I had has been lost. If you are one of the tour managers who work for the DJs in this video I feel deeply deeply sorry for you. You’re at their side wiping their ass every second of every day while on tour and now they won’t repay the favor by helping you with a few chunks of change from their VAST wealth?????”

View this post on Instagram

THIS. IS. AN. UTTER. SCANDAL. Out of desperation for income in these trying times the tour managers of some of worlds richest DJs launch a mix series to try and raise donations from the public to help keep themselves afloat while out of work. And then the millionaires they work for have the audacity to beg and plead to the general public to get involved / donate give money I’m guessing so that they don’t have to themselves!!!??. What the actual fuck???????? So the DJs in question are not covering the basic costs of the loyal warriors that baby sit them 24/7 during normal touring periods????? And not only that but they’re then asking you – the out of work / broke / skint general public to put your hand in your pocket to help cover these costs – so they don’t have to??????? Am I loosing my mind here or did what I just watched actually happen? I’m truly lost for words, shocked and a little sad. Shame on the managers who advised these DJs that this was a good idea. Some of these DJs were heroes to me but now any / all respect I had has been lost. If you are one of the tour managers who work for the DJs in this video I feel deeply deeply sorry for you. You’re at their side wiping their ass every second of every day while on tour and now they won’t repay the favour by helping you with a few chunks of change from their VAST wealth????? It’s as scandalous as Victoria Beckham trying to furlough all her staff so that the tax payer could cover their costs. Luckily though – she saw sense and reversed the request when public outrage subtly reminded her she’s a fucking millionaire a hundred times over so can cover those costs out of the coins in her solid gold handbag. This lock down brings out good in some but horrors in others. If you’re going to donate to anything – donate to the NHS or your own country’s front line medical services.

A post shared by John Askew (@djjohnaskew) on

Carl Cox, Alan Fitzpatrick, and Seth Troxler took time to clear the air about the social media outcry. Many of their responses aimed to distance their own involvement with the efforts, however. On the whole, they sought to make it clear that their managers were taken care of during these difficult times.

Carl Cox

Alan Fitzpatrick

Seth Troxler

Featured Image: Insomniac