Updated

Updated · Pitchfork · Aug 1

Modest Mouse Drops Simon O’Connor From 2026 Tour After Messages to 16-Year-Old Fan

Updated

Updated · Pitchfork · Aug 1

Modest Mouse Drops Simon O’Connor From 2026 Tour After Messages to 16-Year-Old Fan

Q: Why did Modest Mouse drop Simon O’Connor from its tour even after his mistaken-identity explanation on Reddit?

Modest Mouse dropped Simon O’Connor from its upcoming tour because the band chose to distance the tour from the allegations and the backlash they sparked, even after he said the messages were the result of mistaken identity. The immediate issue was that a 17-year-old fan publicly accused O’Connor of sending inappropriate direct messages, including an “erotic image” and comments about bikini photos the fan said were taken when they were 16. Screenshots circulated online, and the fan said their age was visible in their bio. That made the matter serious enough that O’Connor’s explanation did not resolve the reputational and safeguarding concerns around having him on the road. O’Connor did apologize on Reddit and said he believed he was messaging a recurring online troll, not a minor. He said he sent a “tasteless meme,” realized the mistake within minutes, unsent the messages, and ended the exchange. But Modest Mouse did not publicly endorse that explanation or offer any defense of him. Instead, the band announced simply that he would not be joining the tour and named Seth Jabour as his replacement. In practical terms, the band appears to have made a precautionary decision: regardless of O’Connor’s account, the public allegations, the screenshots, and the attention around messages sent to an underage fan created too much risk for the tour. The band has not said whether the move is permanent, only that O’Connor will not be part of the upcoming dates.

3 articles · Updated · Pitchfork · Aug 1

Modest Mouse removed guitarist Simon O’Connor from its upcoming tour dates and named Seth Jabour of Les Savy Fav as his replacement.
A 17-year-old fan posted Reddit screenshots this week showing Instagram DMs from O’Connor, including a sexually explicit meme; the fan said they were 16 at the time and had their birth date in their bio.
O’Connor, who has played guitar with the band since 2021, apologized on Reddit and said he initially thought the recipient was a frequent troll and meant the first message as a "gotcha."
The band disclosed the lineup change in an Instagram post ahead of tour dates beginning August 4, while further comment from representatives had not yet been provided.