Caity Baser's Youth Beatz performance left parents fuming - or, as one mum described it, 'gobsmacked' by the explicit language and risqué references. The 22-year-old singer took to the stage at Dumfries' free music festival, where attendees aged seven upwards were treated to a set that raised eyebrows among some of the younger crowd's parents.
Reports from those in attendance paint a picture of a performance that was way beyond radio-friendly, with Caity allegedly asking the crowd to raise their hands if they'd had sex with a friend. 'I'm still trying to process it,' said Annmarie Dowell, one mum who was at the event with her seven-year-old daughter. 'I knew Caity's music wasn't exactly wholesome, but I thought there would be some consideration for the younger audience.' One anonymous parent, also taken aback by the content, chose to bail mid-performance.
In response to the backlash, Caity Baser spoke out to BBC Scotland News, expressing her disappointment at causing any upset. She claimed that she'd asked festival staff multiple times about censoring her set but was told it wasn't necessary - and if asked to tone it down, she would have done so. 'I want to spread joy, empower young women, and just be fun,' she said.
Dumfries and Galloway Council has confirmed receiving a small number of complaints about the performance, which they're taking seriously. While the overall feedback for Youth Beatz was overwhelmingly positive, a spokesperson noted that some live performances might not be entirely within their control, despite efforts to ensure appropriateness.
Caity Baser is no newcomer to the UK music scene - with over 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and past gigs at Glastonbury and Boardmasters under her belt. Her set was scheduled for 6pm on Saturday, when many younger families were still out enjoying the festival. It's sparked a wider debate about age-appropriate content in youth events and the responsibilities of artists and festival organisers.
This incident raises serious questions about whether some performances might be better suited to older audiences - or if the right measures are being taken to ensure that young people and their families feel safe and entertained at events like Youth Beatz. It's a timely reminder of the importance of getting it right when programming youth-focused events.