The Soulshine at Sea music cruise, planned for November from Miami to Cozumel, has been canceled after allegations of grooming and sexual abuse surfaced against its headliner, Michael Franti, which he denies.
Sixthman, the festival promoter, announced the four-day voyage would not proceed as scheduled after multiple artists pulled out, stating they had “deeply concerning allegations” about another performer involved. The canceled lineup had included acts such as ALO, Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Liz Vice and Tank and the Bangas.
The controversy began when Victoria Canal, a singer-songwriter who was 19 at the time, described a year-long abusive relationship with a much older, powerful man in the music industry in an Instagram post on August 11. She did not name the individual but said she was groomed, manipulated and isolated. Canal also noted that the man was publicly charming and supportive while privately controlling and abusive, claiming he touched and photographed her without consent and warned that speaking out could end her career. She wrote that the relationship started after the man discovered her on Instagram in 2018 and invited her on tour.
After the cruise was canceled, Franti issued a statement acknowledging a romantic relationship outside his marriage but denying the abuse claims. He said the relationship was consensual and based on mutual attraction, while accepting responsibility for not better recognizing the power imbalance, noting that he was the headliner on tour and she was younger. He stated that he should not have allowed the relationship to become romantic.
canal reposted Franti’s withdrawal posts on her Instagram stories, thanking supporters who stood with her.
Franti, a San Francisco native known for his work with Spearhead and appearances at major local festivals, has long been a fixture on the California music scene, including BottleRock Napa Valley and Stern Grove. The cruise’s cancellation follows several other industry movements aimed at addressing how power dynamics can affect relationships on the road and in the spotlight.
What this means going forward
– The incident highlights ongoing conversations in the music industry about power dynamics, consent, and accountability on tours and at festivals.
– The immediate effect is a shift in plans for the Soulshine at Sea cruise and potential ripple effects for other events that rely on high-profile headliners.
– Survivors and advocates may see renewed attention on safeguarding measures and clear pathways for reporting concerns without fear of career repercussions.
– For fans, this underscores that industry events are increasingly responsive to allegations and are prioritizing participant safety and ethical considerations.
Summary
A music cruise headlined by Michael Franti was canceled amid allegations of grooming and abuse, which Franti denies, while acknowledging a consensual relationship outside his marriage with a younger artist he had worked with. The cancellation came after Victoria Canal’s public account of abuse by a powerful man in the industry; Canal did not name Franti but connected him to discovering her on Instagram and inviting her on tour. Several artists withdrew from the event as organizers reevaluated the situation and paused the voyage.
Additional notes
– This evolving story may prompt broader discussions about consent and safeguarding in touring careers.
– If you’re following related developments, keep an eye on official statements from the promoter and any updates from Canal regarding the situation.