Irish band Wild Youth has severed ties with their creative director, Ian Banham, after screen grabs of his social media account circulated on Twitter. The posts referred to transgender women as men, which were deemed offensive by many. The band issued a statement saying they stand for “unity and kindness” and will no longer work with Mr Banham. Meanwhile, Mr Banham’s representatives have refused to comment on the matter.
The timing of this split couldn’t have been worse as the Eurovision song contest is just two weeks away. As rehearsals for the event begin in Liverpool next week, it would be challenging for any artist to change their creative team. Wild Youth, with their song “We Are One,” will compete in the first semi-final of the competition on May 9th.
Mr Banham, who has previously worked with top stars such as Kylie Minogue, Cheryl, and Lily Allen, has been a prominent choreographer in Ireland. He also choreographed the most recent series of Ireland’s version of Strictly Come Dancing.
The Irish broadcaster RTÉ has declined to make any comment, but according to their statement, Mr Banham is no longer a member of Ireland’s Eurovision 2023 team.
Although the competition focuses on the song and live vocals, the creative direction of the performance can influence both the voting public and music experts on the jury. Therefore, the band’s decision to cut ties with Mr Banham is a brave one, especially with the event looming so close. This incident is also a reminder of the importance of inclusive language and respecting diversity, particularly when working with such high-profile artists.
In this context, Wild Youth’s stance on “unity and kindness” should be commended. It sends a clear message that they do not condone any form of hate speech or discrimination against marginalized groups, including the transgender community. It is now up to the band to regroup and put on a stunning performance that showcases their musical talent and their commitment to inclusivity. The eyes of the world will be on them, and they have a lot to prove.