PC Principal: Sticky Fingers responds to King Gizzard Bluesfest boycott

Top Australian band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard have pulled out of Bluesfest in a protest against the inclusion of controversial indie rockers Sticky Fingers.

Sydney band Sticky Fingers.

Sticky Fingers have responded to King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard announcing they will pull out of Bluesfest Byron Bay, days after organisers added the Dylan Frost-fronted band to the line-up.

In a statement published to Twitter on Monday, King Gizzard – who have garnered an international following in the past decade – announced they would pull out of the festival because “as a band and as human beings we stand against misogyny, racism, transphobia, and violence”, adding that performing at the event on the far north coast of NSW would be in “complete opposition to these values”.

@BluesfestByronpic.twitter.com/UQRMnin20S

— King Gizzard (@kinggizzard) February 20, 2023

The band wrote that they were “surprised and saddened to see Bluesfest commit to presenting content that is in complete opposition to these values”.

“Given this decision by the festival, we have decided to cancel our appearance at Bluesfest. We are deeply disappointed to be in this position but sometimes you need to be willing to make sacrifices to stand up for your values. This is, unfortunately, one of those moments.”

In an Instagram story posted on Tuesday morning, Sticky Fingers responded to the King Gizzard statement by sharing a photo of the band, superimposed with an image of the South Park character ‘PC Principal’ — the shows antagonist, who is dedicated to bringing a more politically correct agenda to South Park.

Sticky Fingers respond to King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

Sticky Fingers became pariahs in the Australian music industry after a series of incidents – including accusations by Indigenous musician Thelma Plum that lead singer Dylan Frost drunkenly abused her and her boyfriend outside a Sydney hotel in December 2016.

Frost later posted on social media that “violence against women is never OK” and that he was “ashamed” of his behaviour.

Dylan Frost of Sticky Fingers performs during Splendour in the Grass 2016 on July 23, 2016 in Byron Bay, Australia. Picture: Getty

Festival director Peter Noble defended his decision to book Sticky Fingers, telling The Sydney Morning Herald that Frost had apologised for his past behaviour and that “everybody has a right to be forgiven”.

“Our community is one of inclusiveness … and this man deserves an opportunity. Give him a chance. That’s what I’m trying to do,” Mr Noble said.

Bluesfest director Peter Noble in his office at Tyagarah on the far north coast of NSW. Picture: Natalie Grono