Parents Criticise YouthBeatz Festival Performance by Caity Baser
Caity Baser performed at TRNSMT the weekend prior to her appearance at YouthBeatz.
Several parents have expressed criticism of the youth music festival held in Dumfries, following allegations that singer Caity Baser used explicit language and made sexual references during her set.
Concerns were raised that the 22-year-old artist asked the Youth Beatz audience, which included children as young as seven years old, whether they had ever engaged in sexual activity with a friend.
Youth Beatz, organised by Dumfries and Galloway Council, is promoted as the largest free youth music event in Scotland, targeting young people aged 12 to 25.
Baser told BBC Scotland News that festival staff informed her she did not need to "censor" her performance, and she issued an apology for "any upset" caused.
The council stated it had received a "small number of complaints" and was addressing them seriously.
Youth Beatz is a free festival in Dumfries for young people aged 12 -25
Following the festival, numerous individuals shared their concerns about the performance on social media platforms.
"What shocked me more than anything was openly asking a crowd of teenagers to raise their hands if they'd had sex with a friend. Completely inappropriate," said Annmarie Dowell, who acknowledged that much of Baser's music contains explicit content but expected "radio edits" for the young audience.
"In introducing one song, Baser used an expletive and said she wanted to get 'laid'. More thought should have been put into the act performing for the age range of the festival - not age appropriate at all," Dowell added.
Baser expressed being "super sad" that some attendees were unhappy with her set.
Another mother, who requested anonymity, described being "gobsmacked" by the language used during the performance. She attended the event with her seven-year-old daughter and chose to leave midway through the set.
"I completely understand that that is the type of artist she is, that's what her songs are, but why book her for an event meant to be aimed at [young people aged] 12 and up? I really don't think it's appropriate to be asking the audience to 'put your hands up if you have ever had sex with your friends'.
Youth Beatz is a popular annual festival in Dumfries
Caity Baser has over 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, with popular tracks including "Feels This Good," "Pretty Boys," and "Friendly Sex."
Her performance history includes appearances at Glastonbury and Boardmasters festivals, as well as supporting Olivia Rodrigo at BST Hyde Park.
In 2023, she was nominated for the Brits Rising Star award, ultimately won by The Last Dinner Party.
Her YouthBeatz set was scheduled to start at 18:00 on Saturday, a time when many families with young children were still present in the audience.
Apology and Festival Response
Baser told BBC Scotland News she was "super sad" to hear that some attendees were displeased with her Youth Beatz performance.
"I asked the festival team multiple times if anything needed to be censored and was told it didn't. If I'd been asked to change my set, I absolutely would have. I only ever want to spread joy, empower young women and be fun, so I'm really sorry for any upset caused. I just want to spread love and positivity."
Local musicians and dancers also perform at Youth Beatz
Approximately 40,000 free tickets were distributed for the two-day Youth Beatz festival this year, which caters to young people and their families.
The event was first held in 2009 and currently receives £179,000 in annual funding from Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Other headline acts at this year's festival included rapper Example and a DJ set by two members of the boyband The Vamps.
A spokesperson for the council stated that the majority of feedback from the weekend was very positive and described the event as successful.
"Dumfries and Galloway Council is aware of a small number of concerns raised regarding language used during one of the performances at Youth Beatz. We take any concerns raised by attendees seriously. Youth Beatz features established mainstream artists performing live, and while every effort is made to ensure performances are appropriate for the event, live performances are not entirely within the council's control."
