Prolific musician Michael Franti appears to have canceled his tour amid allegations that he “groomed” a younger female musician who was previously part of his touring party.
The controversy emerged when Victoria Canal, a musician who toured with Franti’s band, Michael Franti and Spearhead, alleged she was the victim of “grooming” by a “very powerful, decades older man” when she was younger.
Although she did not directly name Franti, she said this person touched her while she was sleeping on the tour bus, made her share accommodations with him, and took pictures of her without her “awareness or consent.”
“If I wanted a bed to sleep in and a shower to use, he made sure it was his,” Canal, now 27, wrote on Instagram.
Franti, 59, issued a statement on social media in response, admitting to an extramarital affair with a younger musician he had toured with. But he “vehemently” denied allegations of grooming or nonconsensual behavior.
“I’m aware of the recent posts this artist made about our relationship, and while I support her need to express herself publicly, the relationship was completely consensual, based on mutual feelings and attraction,” Franti wrote.
“I vehemently dispute any version of the story that says otherwise,” reads the statement. “I will, however, take full accountability for not better recognizing the power imbalance as she was younger than me, and I was the headliner on tour.”
In the days since Canal’s allegations surfaced, the artist said on Instagram that she received messages from other women sharing their own allegations of inappropriate behavior against the same man. Canal re-posted some of those allegations, a few of which appeared to contain more obvious hints at the man’s identity.
And this week, another woman posted a lengthy Substack post accusing Franti of using his “power” over her (she was a fan before meeting him) to keep her “in thrall so I would remain available when he wanted to use me.”
Franti, meanwhile, appears to have canceled the remaining dates on his Welcome to the Family Tour, according to a message posted on his behalf by a venue he was scheduled to play on Aug. 21. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Franti had also shared the same message on social media.
“This is one of the hardest messages I’ve ever had to write,” reads the statement. “Recent events online have left me disheartened and my spirit isn’t in the place it needs to be to get on stage and give you the joy and energy you deserve.
“The remaining dates on the Welcome To The Family Tour will be canceled,” the statement continued. “I’m devastated to disappoint you, but I hope you understand that I need this pause to be with my family. Thank you for your love and compassion in this difficult moment.”
All scheduled concert dates from the tour section of Franti’s website had also been removed.
Franti has also reportedly parted ways with his longtime management company, Activist Artist Management, according to reports from Billboard and Variety.
A musical cruise Franti was scheduled to headline in November was previously canceled as well, after several artists on the bill — Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Hirie and Liz Vice — all withdrew.
The cruise’s organizers now say they’re hoping to announce a new event for the same dates as the original cruise.