Reading and Leeds boss says Evian Christ ‘not in a very good state’ when detained by security

Melvin Benn confirms DJ and producer was held but denies festival pulled Reading performance

Festival organiser Melvin Benn has claimed that Evian Christ was detained at Leeds Festival on Friday after appearing to be intoxicated and refusing to identify himself to security.

As reported, the Kanye West collaborator was detained at the Bramham Park site after security staff believed he was trying to break into the VIP area. He had played a DJ set on the BBC Radio One Dance Stage earlier in the day.

He tweeted a short video from inside the holding pen with the hashtag #freeEvian gaining popularity on Twitter

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Speaking to NME at Leeds Festival on Sunday (August 30), Benn explained what he knew of the situation and said: “Evian was found in a not very good state in the woods, without being able or willing to disclose who he was. He was effectively held till we knew who he was. He certainly wasn’t prevented from performing under any circumstances. It was his decision not to perform, not the festival’s.”

NME reached out to a spokesperson for Evian Christ but did not immediately receive a response.

Meanwhile, Hudson Mohawke shared the following picture from backstage at Reading Festival today (August 30).

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