Darude’s team stated that the owner of Vixens Cabaret in Davie, Florida behaved inappropriately toward him and his equipment.
Darude isn’t generally known to be dramatic, which makes this weekend’s events all the more surprising. The “Sandstorm” producer pulled out of a May 3 performance at Vixens Cabaret in Davie, Florida on account of the venue owner’s behavior.
In a social media statement, Darude’s team wrote that the show had been “cancelled due to inappropriate and unacceptable behavior by the venue owner toward myself, and show equipment.” No further details were given regarding the incidents that prompted their decision.
“We hold our artists, crew, and show standards to the highest level of professionalism and respect,” the statement continued. “Under no circumstances will we tolerate actions that compromise their safety, dignity, or the integrity of the production.”
Vixens is a gentlemen’s club that routinely hosts dance music DJs as headliners; artists like Sarah de Warren and Drums of the Sun are slated to play there in the next couple months. Darude (real name Toni-Ville Henrik Virtanen) was set to perform there as part of his STORM 25 tour, which sees him perform a live set of his songs that came out over the 25 years that have passed since his most famous hit, “Sandstorm.” At the Vixens show, Kristina Sky and Daxson as well as club residents Andy Ruiz and DJ Malone were billed as openers.
The statement directed would-be attendees to request refunds from the venue itself. “We appreciate the continued support from our fans and partners, and we look forward to bringing the full Darude experience to a more suitable environment in the future,” it read.
Darude’s next tour date will take him to the Society for Arts and Technology on May 9, followed by a stop at 45 East in Portland, Oregon the following day.