Musician Billy Nomates has had her Glastonbury performance clip taken down from the BBC after receiving an overwhelming amount of abuse online. The singer performed on the festival’s Park Stage on Friday.
The singer opened up this weekend about experiencing an “insane” amount of “personal abuse” after her Glastonbury performance https://t.co/q38G3CuVO6
— NME (@NME) June 26, 2023
It is customary for BBC (via BBC 6) to put partial live clips onto their social media platforms during the artist’s performance, but Billy Nomates asked the BBC to take down her clip after it was subjected to a severe backlash from users. The post-punk performer cited hateful abuse directed at her for the reasoning behind her request to BBC 6 and suggested she is done with performing completely for the foreseeable future.
Speaking about the incident, Billy Nomates said, “I know it’s not for everyone, what I do. I know lots of people don’t rate me. But the level of personal abuse on that public page is too much. There will be no more shows after this summer. You wouldn’t stay in a workplace that did to you. Why should I.” The BBC has agreed to Billy Nomates request and removed the social media post from their platforms, however the full performance is still available via iPlayer.
It saddened me to hear how deeply effected you were by the abuse .I get it . But I’ve been watching you for a while .And your energy is vital .Because, People like you need people like you .Be brave , be defiant , Be whats needed Because thats what you are . — Robbie Williams (@robbiewilliams) June 26, 2023
Billy Nomates is the stage name of musician and songwriter Tor Maries who originated from Leicester but creates her music in Bournemouth. Despite being a lone act, Maries began to draw attention after releasing her self-titled debut and was noted for her vocal delivery-often weaving between singing and spoken word. Without the support of a live band to accompany her, the main source of ire being directed at Maries was her utilisation of recorded tracks during her live performances instead of being backed up by a band.
While Maries may acknowledge that her brand of pop-rock is not for everyone, she’s certainly not without numerous support from fellow musicians. Perhaps most notable among them, socio-political artist Billy Bragg voiced enduring support for the singer speaking via Twitter, “solidarity from everyone at Left Field with Billy Nomates who was so badly abused online after her Glastonbury set was posted on BBC 6 Music that she asked them to take the clip down. She played a set for us last year and was brilliant. You’ll always have [a] place here Tor.”
Solidarity from everyone at Left Field with Billy No Mates who was so badly abused online after her @glastonbury set was posted on @BBC6Music that she asked them to take the clip down. She played a set for us last year and was brilliant. You’ll always have place here Tor pic.twitter.com/ZNMxX4aGZ3
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) June 23, 2023
A spokesperson for BBC 6 went on to add, “we want 6 music to be a place where brillant artists such as Billy Nomates are celebrated and supported, and we have respected Tor’s rewuest to have the clip posted on our social channels removed.” Many fans have come out in support of the singer as well and they will be sincerely hoping that Billy Nomates makes a return to the touring circuit after the summer festival season ends.
