The 2026 version of C.Y. Fest has formally been scrapped, marking the dramatic finish of a competition already mired in controversy. The fallout started when competition founder Ignacio “Nacho Corrupted” Rodriguera confronted a number of allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Rodriguera denied the claims, calling them “false” and “misinformation,” and stated he deliberate to handle the accusations by means of authorized channels.
However because the allegations circulated, a rising wave of artists dropped out. Bands together with Subhumans, Ghoul, Dropdead, and Weekend Nachos pulled out over the previous week, leaving the competition in chaos.
In an try and salvage the fest, Tankcrimes proprietor Scotty Heath stepped in at Rodriguera‘s suggestion to take over promotion. Heath later admitted in a press release that he had cold-called Rodriguera to assist save the occasion for followers and bands alike – however lower than 30 hours after his announcement, he bowed out.
“…There’s simply too many questions got here in from you guys that I haven’t got the solutions for, so I simply felt like I used to be in over my head,” stated Heath as transcribed by The PRP.
“I actually… I did make a stable try, however I believe I rushed the announcement. It was lower than 30 hours after I’d performed it, and the whole lot occurred fairly spontaneously, and I used to be simply attempting to get on the market so fast, as a result of the fest is arising so quickly, so I’ve bowed out of that, and I’ve the venues are nonetheless operating the fest.
“They’ve very competent employees and in-house those that will probably be doing that. However as a result of there’s so many unanswered questions that I don’t have the solutions for. I can’t do it.”
With the state of affairs unraveling, the competition formally introduced its cancellation yesterday, March nineteenth, by way of Instagram: “C.Y. FEST 2026 IS CANCEL. ALL TICKETS HAVE BEEN REFUNDED AUTOMATICALLY TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. IT WILL TAKE 24-48 HOURS TO HIT YOUR ACCOUNT. VENDORS DM FOR REIMBURSEMENT. PRESHOWS WILL HAVE MORE INFO SOON!”
The competition had been scheduled for March 28 at The Belasco in Los Angeles, CA, with a lineup together with Subhumans, Eyehategod, Pig Destroyer, Ghoul, and others. However with a mass exodus of performers and lingering controversy, the occasion couldn’t proceed.
For followers holding over tickets from final yr, this cancellation is very bitter. C.Y. Fest 2025 had been postponed because of “unavoidable work commitments with the town of Los Angeles,” with tickets rolled over to 2026 – now one other yr of frustration for ticket holders.
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