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Left Brain of Odd Future

Oct 31, 2011 By Margot Cooper Gruen Photography by Wendy Lynch Redfern Odd Future

On Sunday, California hip hop outfit Odd Future performed at Voodoo Experience in New Orleans, among a lineup including The Raconteurs, Girl Talk, Band of Horses, Mates of State, and others. According to Louisiana television station NBC33, frontman Tyler the Creator began talking about his dislike for photographers during the set, after which his bandmates made agreeing statements. They feel that fans should be able to be right up against the stage, rather than photographers. “Left Brain” (Vyron Turner) then got aggressive with the photographers in the photo pit, throwing water and pushing equipment. He then allegedly proceeded to slap photographer Amy Harris across her face. She has said she will not be reporting the incident to the police and there was no damage to her equipment.

Now Pitchfork have a statement from Odd Future’s publicist that says things did not happen exactly as reported:

“There simply is no truth to the accusation floating around the internet. It’s no secret that Odd Future has a love/hate relationship with photographers at shows simply because sometimes they are given access the group wishes their fans would have instead. After telling the photographers to clear out multiple times (as they’ve done before) Vyron (Leftbrain) took a swipe at a few cameras, NOT people. To manipulate the situation to insinuate an attack on a woman specifically is careless and manipulative.”

At the Coachella festival this past April Odd Future did not allow photographers to shoot their set from the photo pit.

UPDATE: The Voodoo Experience has now issued an official statment regarding the incident. The statement in full:

“The Voodoo Experience does not in any way condone the behavior of Odd Future towards the approved media assembled in the photo pit during the band’s set yesterday (Sunday, October 30). Festival organizers would like to apologize to their media guests who experienced and/or witnessed this abusive behavior.”