Glastonbury’s tribute set for, The Prodigy’s, Keith Flint, has been cancelled, after ex-Prodigy member Gizz Butt received backlash. The special DJ set was due to take place, in the Shangri-La area of Glastonbury, between the 26th and 30th of June 2019, at Worthy Farm, Somerset.
Former guitarist for The Prodigy, Gizz Butt was set to DJ the special tribute set, that would have seen him and others honour the late Prodigy frontman, Keith Flint. The musician – who was a live guitarist for the rave outfit, The Prodigy, in the ’90s – was due to perform the ‘Keith Flint Appreciation Hour’ DJ set, at Worthy Farm, next month.
The announcement comes after last week the Shangri-La stage revealed their line-up, earlier last week. However, now Gizz Butt – whose real name is Graham Butt – has revealed that he can no longer participate in the special DJ set.
Taking to social media, on Saturday the 4th of May, to announce the news, Butt, said: “I’m sorry to say this but I’m going to pull out of DJ’ing the Keith Flint appreciation hour. People are seeing it as an act of self-promotion and I never wanted that. Also, it’s getting so big with the press and I don’t feel worthy of it.”
In a follow-up post, Butt elaborated on his reasons for cancelling the special tribute set, explaining that his plans had received backlash and upset those who were close to Flint.
Thanking fans for their “encouragement and the love”, Butt, said: “My reason for standing down isn’t anything to do with internet trolls. It’s due to the reason that it’s messing with the heads of some people that are closest to Keith and it’s causing upset and I never intended for that to happen.
“The last thing I want to do is cause upset and create bad karma, especially with people that are the most important people involved, that are grieving and will be for a long time.”
Butt went on to say that he is planning an alternative tribute to the late frontman, Keith Flint, “for the benefit of mental health”, adding that “it won’t be seen as capitalising on a tragic situation.”
Butt, said: “I will do something for the benefit of mental health but it won’t be seen as capitalising on a tragic situation. It will be something else. Prodigy fans, you know what where I’m coming from with this statement.”
His post concluded: “I’m sorry that I can’t do this. You know I’d like to but I want to respect other people’s emotions and wishes and for this reason, I must stand down.”
Shortly after Keith Flint’s tragic death, Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis revealed that The Prodigy were booked to play this year’s festival. She also described Flint as “an incredible frontman.”
After the news broke of the singer’s death, Eavis took to social media to remember Flint. In an emotional post, Eavis shared footage from the band’s legendary headline performance at Glastonbury 1997 – where they topped the bill alongside Radiohead and Ash.
“We are so saddened to hear about the passing of Keith Flint,” Eavis wrote, on Twitter. “He’s played here so many times with the Prodigy and was booked for 2019. What an incredible frontman. Here’s a clip from ‘97 when they were the first dance band to headline Glastonbury – a huge, unforgettable moment.”
We are so saddened to hear about the passing of Keith Flint. He’s played here so many times with the Prodigy and was booked for 2019. What an incredible frontman. Here’s a clip from ‘97 when they were the first dance band to headline Glastonbury – a huge, unforgettable moment. pic.twitter.com/9fxKBonfVa
— Emily Eavis (@emilyeavis) March 4, 2019
