Ekko Astral are postponing the release of their second album The Beltway Is Burning. The Washington, D.C. punk band made the announcement today, March 4. also confirming that they are “no longer playing” this year’s Liberation Weekend, the D.C. festival they co-founded with Gender Liberation Movement in 2025 to support trans liberation and mutual aid.
Although bandmates Jael Holzman and Liam Hughes will finish out their March touring itinerary, which includes West Coast dates opening for Mclusky and a show at Idaho’s Treefort Fest, they said they’ve postponed all subsequent performances. “Ekko Astral needs time to recalibrate,” their statement read. “We wanted to move by our original schedule, but we’ve realized we would benefit from more time and bandwidth. To give Beltway, our pride and joy, the moment it deserves.”
The announcement arrives after, late last month, Ekko Astral’s label Topshelf Records dropped them and said it would not release The Beltway Is Burning; Holzman confirmed to Pitchfork on February 23 that the band would still release the album independently on April 22. Although Topshelf’s statement did not initially specify a reason behind the decision, the label told Pitchfork it was related to a dispute between Holzman and Ekko Astral’s former drummer Miri Tyler. Tyler detailed plans to leave the band in January, citing the strain touring with the group had on her mental health. At the time, Tyler said she would play one final show with Ekko Astral at Liberation Weekend II.
On February 6, Holzman filed a peace order against Tyler in Montgomery County District Court, alleging that Tyler threatened her on social media. The order, which bars Tyler from direct contact or communication with Holzman, remains in effect until August 13. Last month, the Washington City Paper reported that Tyler has denied threatening anyone, and further explored the fallout between her and Holzman. Ekko Astral has since contested the story, citing “inaccuracies and omissions” that resulted in “a swirl of misinformed online harassment that led us to part ways with our label.” (An editor’s note on the piece reads: “Ekko Astral’s statement makes unfounded and misleading claims. City Paper stands by our reporting, our reporter, and our decision-making throughout the process.”)
Liberation Weekend II, which is set to return from April 24 to 26, will host Laura Jane Grace, Illuminati Hotties, Pool Kids, and more. In their new statement, Holzman and Hughes encouraged followers to still attend the festival, which they emphasized “has always been bigger than this band.” “Please share the event with your friends and family,” they concluded. “Not only is this fest filled with incredible talent but it is vital to support trans rights, trans care, and trans art right now. We will be back.”
Read Ekko Astral’s full statement below.
Hello friends,
At the end of March, we will be supporting mclusky on the West Coast, and playing Treefort Fest.
On that run, you can look forward to never-performed songs from our upcoming record, ‘the beltway is burning’. We hope to see you all there. After these immediate commitments, Ekko Astral needs time to recalibrate.
We wanted to move by our original schedule, but we’ve realized we would benefit from more time and bandwidth. to give beltway, our pride and joy, the moment it deserves. We are postponing the album and all other performances. To our fans, we’re sorry for this delay. We appreciate all the support you’ve shown for this band.
Liberation Weekend II will still happen as planned. The event has the same great team behind last year, and we’ve been passing along roles to a growing team of volunteers who are making sure this fundraiser for trans rights and care is an absolute blast.
Ekko Astral is no longer playing Liberation Weekend II. We urge you to please still go. This festival has always been bigger than this band. Please share the event with your friends and family. Not only is this fest filled with incredible talent but it is vital to support trans rights, trans care, and trans art right now.
We will be back.
