Australian Electronic Music Festival Canceled Amid Threats Over Israeli DJs

The Frequency Forest electronic music festival, scheduled to take place in Maitland, near Sydney, Australia, has been canceled following threats and a boycott campaign against the inclusion of five Israeli DJs. The three-day camping festival was expected to draw around 4,000 attendees. Organizers announced an alternative format, which involves a series of performances in clubs in Sydney and Melbourne, excluding the Israeli artists. A related event in Melbourne was also affected.

The festival, originally set for September 25-27, became the target of a boycott due to its lineup. Organizers reported facing pressure on venues and associated entities, as well as receiving written threats of severe violence and arson, which were reported to the police. One email threat referred to the Israeli artists as 'baby-killing IDF soldiers' and inquired about bringing gasoline to the venue, also questioning the site's fire safety measures.

The five Israeli DJs removed from the lineup were Astrix, Berg, Ghostrider, Ranji, and Ritmo. The organizers stated their removal was solely for safety reasons, not a political statement. One of the DJs, Ranji, was quoted in Australian media saying the producer had tried to find solutions and had already paid partial fees and arranged work visas, but concerns for human life escalated.

The situation intensified after two cars belonging to one of the festival's producers were set on fire in Melbourne. Police are investigating these incidents as suspicious but have not yet determined a motive or made arrests. New South Wales police are also investigating the threatening email.

Organizers estimate the cancellation, the shift to club events, and the threats will result in a financial loss of approximately AUD 1.6 to 1.8 million (about NIS 3.4 to 3.9 million). Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, drew parallels between the car burnings and previous antisemitic arson attacks, urging a strong response to extremism and moral ambiguity.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of a significant rise in antisemitism in Australia since October 7. A report by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry documented 3,716 antisemitic incidents in the country between October 2023 and the end of September 2025, noting a 246% increase in antisemitic abuse and vandalism since October 7, the sharpest rise among major Jewish communities globally.