Lukas Wigflex cancels all gigs and steps down from Peep Festival in response to abuse allegations
The team behind Peep, which he co-founded alongside Dr Banana, said they are “deeply saddened” by the accusations
Content Warning: This article includes accounts of abuse and may be distressing for some readers.
Lukas Wigflex has stepped down from Peep Festival, the new weekend-long event that he helped to co-found alongside Dr Banana, following allegations of abuse.
On Sunday, a blog post was published online outlining alleged instances of "psychological abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, physical abuse, intimidation and threats", as well as financial abuse, by a prominent DJ in the industry.
Published under the name Avarni on Substack, the post does not name the accused, though references their marriage, his DJ shows, their joint Nottingham-based events brand and festival, claims of substance abuse and other details that led to online speculation that the accused could be the Nottingham-born DJ, real name Lukas Cole.
Yesterday, June 30, Peep Festival shared a statement on Instagram revealing that "Lukas will be stepping down from Peep with immediate effect".
The team behind the event, which is set to take place for the first time in July, confirmed that Lukas will "no longer perform at, profit from or be involved in the festival in any capacity".
"Safety and respect have sat at the heart of every conversation in the planning of the first edition of our festival, and will always be our top priorities," they said. "We are deeply saddened by what we have learned in the last 48 hours and recognise the impact it has had on our community."
Today, July 1, Lukas responded to allegations with an Instagram statement titled "To Avarni". He alludes to the blog post, saying that he feels “embarrassed, disgusted and full of shame” about how he made his “ex-partner” feel.
“I ran away from my partner and problems like a fucking coward,” he said. “I am a fucking coward. An avoidant who buries his head in the sand rather than deal with stuff that’s uncomfortable.”
He adds that he takes “full responsibility”, and claims to have attempted to make amends, including with his own friends and family who “my avoidance has affected too”, he says.
He denies allegations of physical abuse, saying: “Whilst I want to be accountable for my actions and behaviours, I also want to make it clear that I categorically refuge any and all allegations of physical abuse in our relationship.”
The statement announces all his forthcoming gigs are cancelled to create space for reflection, therapy and counselling.
"I will be hanging up the headphones and any forthcoming confirmed gigs will not be taking place," he says.
Read both statements from Peep and Lukas Wigflex below.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor