Soulshine at Sea – a four day cruise featuring Dispatch, Niko Moon, Hirie and Tropidelic on its lineup – has been canceled as singer/curator Michael Franti faces allegations of sexual assault and grooming.
Victoria Canal, a singer-songwriter who opened for Franti in 2018, recently shared on social media that “a very powerful, decades older man plucked me out of the internet, and college, and invited me on my first professional opportunity.”
She alleged her abuser began touching her and photographing her without her consent and “made me believe that if I ever told anyone what he was doing, my career would be over before it started.” While she did not name Franti directly, many onlookers made the connection.
Franti addressed the claims in a series of posts, admitting he cheated on his wife, but that the relationship with his accuser was “consensual and based on mutual attraction.”
As discourse surrounding the story continued to grow, Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Hirie and Liz Vice all said they were withdrawing from Soulshine at Sea.
“Recently, troubling allegations have surfaced regarding a key figure connected to the event,” Hirie wrote in a message to her fans. “While I’m not here to pass judgement or speak on what did or did not happen, I feel it is important for me to take a pause out of respect for all parties involved.”
Dispatch and Maggie Rose offered similar sentiments, alluding to the allegations without naming Franti specifically.
“In light of recent events, the Soulshine at Sea with Michael Franti event scheduled for November 4-8, 2025, is cancelled,” organizers announced, adding that details on a new event over the same dates would be revealed soon. Fans who bought tickets will have the option of a full refund, or credit towards the new event.
