The 2026 edition of C.Y. Fest has officially been scrapped, marking the dramatic end of a festival already mired in controversy. The fallout began when festival founder Ignacio “Nacho Corrupted” Rodriguera faced multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Rodriguera denied the claims, calling them “false” and “misinformation,” and said he planned to address the accusations through legal channels.
But as the allegations circulated, a growing wave of artists dropped out. Bands including Subhumans, Ghoul, Dropdead, and Weekend Nachos pulled out over the past week, leaving the festival in chaos.
In an attempt to salvage the fest, Tankcrimes owner Scotty Heath stepped in at Rodriguera‘s suggestion to take over promotion. Heath later admitted in a statement that he had cold-called Rodriguera to help save the event for fans and bands alike – but less than 30 hours after his announcement, he bowed out.
“…There’s just too many questions came in from you guys that I don’t have the answers for, so I just felt like I was in over my head,” said Heath as transcribed by The PRP.
“I really… I did make a solid attempt, but I think I rushed the announcement. It was less than 30 hours after I’d done it, and everything happened pretty spontaneously, and I was just trying to get out there so quick, because the fest is coming up so soon, so I have bowed out of that, and I’ve the venues are still running the fest.
“They have very competent staff and in-house people that will be doing that. But because there’s so many unanswered questions that I don’t have the answers for. I can’t do it.”
With the situation unraveling, the festival officially announced its cancellation yesterday, March 19th, via Instagram: “C.Y. FEST 2026 IS CANCEL. ALL TICKETS HAVE BEEN REFUNDED AUTOMATICALLY TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. IT WILL TAKE 24-48 HOURS TO HIT YOUR ACCOUNT. VENDORS DM FOR REIMBURSEMENT. PRESHOWS WILL HAVE MORE INFO SOON!”
The festival had been scheduled for March 28 at The Belasco in Los Angeles, CA, with a lineup including Subhumans, Eyehategod, Pig Destroyer, Ghoul, and others. But with a mass exodus of performers and lingering controversy, the event could not proceed.
For fans holding over tickets from last year, this cancellation is especially bitter. C.Y. Fest 2025 had been postponed due to “unavoidable work commitments with the city of Los Angeles,” with tickets rolled over to 2026 – now another year of frustration for ticket holders.
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