Founded in 1996, Infected Mushroom is one of the most influential acts in the psytrance scene, with over 15 albums and a pioneering legacy that stretches across continents and generations.
Their inclusion as a headline act for Earth Frequency Festival 2025, announced in May, was initially met with excitement. However, the mood quickly shifted when a small but vocal pro-Palestine group criticised the festival for booking the Israeli artists amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza war.
In an attempt to address the backlash, Earth Frequency issued a public statement aimed at neutrality. However, many interpreted the message as leaning towards a pro-Palestinian stance, a move that further divided the festival’s audience and led Infected Mushroom to withdraw from the event.
In a public statement, the duo said:
“Unfortunately, Earth Frequency Festival chose to bring politics into a dance festival environment influenced by political agenda and driven by social media vitriol, hate and racial division that ultimately has divided the community and some of our fans. The core values of any music event should not involve politics. It should be a place to celebrate life, friendships and community through music. And ultimately, just have fun.”
The withdrawal has brought long-standing tensions within the psytrance community into sharp focus. Despite the scene’s ethos of inclusivity and unity, global conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza have increasingly exposed political rifts between artists, organisers and fans.
Social media responses reflect the deep divide. Maya, a Jewish Australian woman who previously supported the festival, posted on Instagram:
“They [EFF] did not create a space for peace, as they declared. They demonstrated a selective morality, false virtue, and moral cowardice. They once stood for music and unity. Now, they have become something else entirely. As a Jewish Australian, as a woman, and as someone who once believed in the values they claimed to hold, I no longer feel safe at their event.”
On the other side of the debate, Meki, another user, expressed gratitude to Earth Frequency Festival:
“Thank you EFF for responding to the concerns about Infected Mushroom with professionalism and empathy. Your cultural consultation and recognition of the genocide in Gaza really stands for the values of PLUR. The fact that Infected Mushroom has cancelled after the announcement speaks volumes about their political stance.”
Earth Frequency Festival now faces a complex challenge: trying to reconcile its values with the increasingly political expectations of its audience. The festival has not yet named a replacement for Infected Mushroom, however have reassured their audience that everyone is welcome.
“We reaffirm our core values: that anyone is welcome at our festival regardless of cultural background, age, ability, gender, nationality, who respects our values and causes no harm. We send love to everyone touched by this situation and to the disappointed fans.”
The bush doof scene has long promoted itself as politically neutral and spiritually connected, but this controversy is putting those values to the test. Infected Mushroom last toured Australia in 2024, playing four sold-out shows across the country. The duo have confirmed 2025 tour dates in the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, the UK, and Germany.