Songwriter Maggie Rogers has taken to social media to address an incident of verbal harassment that occurred during her recent show in Austin, Texas.
According to the statement, Rogers was speaking to the crowd “about gratitude and growth and change” – “the most vulnerable part of the set” – before performing breakout hit ‘Alaska’. During this speech, a man in the audience yelled “Take your top off,” with another joining in to say “You cute though.”
“take your top off” pic.twitter.com/pqTmWlYIQ6
— Maggie Rogers (@maggierogers) October 20, 2019
Rogers says she was “stunned, furious, fuming, confused” by the hugely inappropriate incident, explaining the vulnerability required to step on stage every night. She also used the incident to speak on the importance of safe spaces during concerts, making it clear there is “no space for harassment or disrespect of degradation” at her gigs.
See the full statement below. Rogers’ debut album Heard It In A Past Life was released this year.
Every night before the Alaska acoustic encore, I speak about gratitude and growth and change. It’s the most vulnerable part of the set. Just me and a guitar before I say goodnight.
Last night, in the middle of this speech a man yelled ‘take your top off.’ Another joined in and yelled ‘you cute though.’ I was stunned. Furious. Fuming. Confused. And also—on a really basic level—it really hurt my feelings.
I step on stage every night and give every part of me. And my community shows up every night and together, we create a safe space to amplify each other. To allow relief. To allow release. There’s a deep amount of trust there.
I step on stage every night with a deep reverence for the stage, my craft, and the privilege that is making music for my job. I’ve been writing and producing music for 10 years—my body is my greatest tool for communicating that work. I want to use this moment to be very very clear.
There is no space for harassment or disrespect or degradation of any kind at my show.
Be kind to each other out there.
xx
M
