We’ve written about a few cases of mistaken identity backstage in the past. Sometimes an artist doesn’t have their pass or a particularly overzealous security guard just takes things too far, but rarely does the artist end up imprisoned in a cage.

But that’s precisely what happened to Evian Christ, a UK DJ and producer best known for collaborating with Kanye West on the Yeezus cut ‘I’m In It’, who performed at Leeds festival over the weekend.

According to tweets from the DJ’s official account, Christ was placed “in a cage” after staff allegedly believed him to be a regular punter who had somehow broken into the VIP area and was just wandering around.

Christ was stopped by security and placed in a holding pen, where he issued several tweets, including a short video from inside his pen and an announcement that his Reading slot had been cancelled, though it’s not clear if this was tongue-in-cheek.

According to The Independent, the DJ and producer had performed a set on the BBC Radio One Dance stage on the Friday at Leeds, while his Reading slot on the same stage was set to take place on the Sunday.

#freeEvian soon became a trending topic amongst fans, as the artist continued to tweet: “Really though, actually got put in a cage at a festival headlined by Mumford and Sons because the festival staff didn’t believe I was a DJ and thought I was ‘trying to break into the festival’ after my set.”

Festival Republic, the organisers of Reading and Leeds festivals, have yet to comment on Christ’s unjust imprisonment, but no doubt there’s a security guard somewhere in the Reading festival grounds who’s about to get a stern talking to.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine