The Corner Hotel Is Replacing Their Riff Raff Show With A Panel On Sexual Assault In Music

Content warning: this article discusses sexual assault. 

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Last week, Texan rapper Riff Raff’s Australian tour was cancelled on the day it was set to begin, after a Melbourne woman alleged he had raped her during a previous tour.

Now, this Friday’s Melbourne show at The Corner Hotel is being replaced with a fundraising night and panel on sexual assault in music — featuring the woman who made the allegation.

The allegation first surfaced on Facebook last Thursday, as Eliza Stafford alleged that rapper drugged and assaulted her backstage at his 2013 show at The Corner Hotel. The post was widely circulated across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — and by Friday mid-afternoon, The Corner Hotel had cancelled the Melbourne show, shortly followed by an announcement by promoter Audiopaxx that the whole tour was off.

In addition to Melbourne, Riff Raff was scheduled to perform in Cairns, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and the Sunshine Coast.

Now, The Corner Hotel has announced ‘Where To From Here? Music, Community And The ‘State Of Play’, an event organised by Listen, a Melbourne non-for-profit dedicated to promoting a variety of marginalised voices in Australian music.

Listen told Junkee that they were asked by the venue to create a night which would attempt to bolster the voices of abuse survivors.  Stafford herself will speak at the event, offering her perspective on last week’s events.

Afterwards, a panel on the ‘state of play’ within the Australian music industry will question what is and isn’t being done to address systemic concerns regarding sexual assault and harassment.

“We do believe things are changing,” a Listen representative told Junkee. “There is a readiness and an openness now to hear some of these stories. We also think it’s important to critically examine the dynamics of how these stories take place.”

“We need to think about whose trauma is seen as legitimate, and whose pain (or anger) we are ready and willing to listen to. We can’t forget that Australia’s music industry is built upon and profits off the ongoing processes of colonisation — and that these issues and stories can’t be separated. Miss Blanks articulated her perspective on the dynamics of #MeToo in the music industry in her piece for The Guardian, which we think is a crucial read alongside these discussions.”

Following the talks, there will be yet-unannounced women and gender non-conforming musicians and DJs performing, as per-Listen’s modus operandi of promoting a community of oft-overlooked artists.

“This event is absolutely a cause for celebration,” says Listen. “It sets a precedent for the possibilities of what can happen when we do listen to survivors, and show perpetrators and the team around them that they cannot get away with this kind of behaviour.”

Listen has also confirmed to Junkee that all proceeds are going to non-profit organisations, including The Corner Hotel’s booking fee. More event details and tickets are available here.

Since Stafford’s allegations emerged, a woman in the US has also accused Riff Raff of sexual misconduct in 2015 — when she was 17. The rapper has not formally commented on either accusation, though today posted an Instagram of himself with a caption referencing “internet trolls on the attack” and “haters popping up with lies”.

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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.