Martha
photo by Meg Lavender

Martha drop off Brand New shows following sexual misconduct allegations

Following accusations of sexual misconduct against Brand New frontman Jesse Lacey, UK indie pop band Martha have dropped off an upcoming tour with Brand New. Martha were scheduled to open two of Brand New’s upcoming shows, November 18 at Brixton O2 Academy in London and November 19 at O2 Academy is Glasgow. In a tweet, Martha said, “We have decided to pull out of the brand new shows. Support survivors always.”

Brand New currently have one other upcoming show in addition to these two, on November 16 at Olympia Theatre in Dublin. Kevin Devine, also a touring member of Brand New’s band, is scheduled to open, as you can see in the below tour poster. UPDATE: Kevin Devine also dropped off the Brand New tour.

UPDATE 2: Brand New’s upcoming shows have been cancelled.

Allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against Jesse Lacey following a Facebook thread from Brand New’s former guitar tech, who said, “there are some ladies I know on here who, FOR SURE, have told me about indiscretions that can be attributed to him.” One woman came forward saying she had been solicited for nude photos from Lacey when she was 15 and he 24, and made to watch him masturbate via a webcam. Others have given secondhand accounts of behavior they’ve observed from Lacey, including all alleged “inappropriate relationship” with another teenaged girl.

Brand New’s representatives have not responded to our request for comment at this time.

Brand New tour poster