Folk Singer Walks Away From Performance After Hearing JD Vance May Attend
A British folk singer made headlines this week after choosing to step away from a scheduled performance when she believed U.S. Vice President JD Vance might appear at the event.
Dolly Mavies — the stage name of musician Molly Davies — said she and her band decided not to play a gig in Daylesford, England, after noticing an unusually heavy security presence at the venue.
According to Mavies, the scene included police motorbike convoys and large security vehicles, which raised concerns among the group.
“We arrived and immediately felt something wasn’t right,” she explained. “The level of security just didn’t match what we normally see at a small venue like that.”
Out of caution and personal conviction, the band chose to leave rather than perform.
Mavies later described the decision as a quiet form of protest, saying that stepping away felt like the most peaceful option available.
Event Sparks Global Attention — Even After Clarification
It was later confirmed that Vice President Vance was not scheduled to attend the event at all.
Despite that, the story quickly gained traction online, drawing international attention and sparking widespread discussion — particularly in the United States.
Mavies said she was overwhelmed by the response, noting a surge in social media followers and messages from people who said they related to her concerns.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty right now, especially in the U.S.,” she said in an interview.
“Many people are anxious, and it meant a lot to feel like some of those emotions were being acknowledged.”
Responding to Critics
After some critics suggested the walkout was a publicity stunt, Mavies pushed back, saying the reaction had been entirely unexpected.
“If we were that calculated, we probably would’ve done something like this a long time ago,” she said. “This wasn’t planned.”
She also acknowledged that not everyone agreed with her decision — and said that was okay.
“Nobody is ever going to please everyone,” she added. “In the end, we simply chose not to do something. We didn’t disrupt anything. We just left.”
A Peaceful Gesture With a Big Ripple Effect
Mavies, who released her debut album The Calm & The Storm last year, said the experience reinforced her belief that even small, non-confrontational actions can resonate far beyond their original setting.
Meanwhile, JD Vance and his family were confirmed to be vacationing in the Cotswolds at the time, though there was no indication he intended to attend the performance.
Still, the moment became a flashpoint online — highlighting how personal choices, even quiet ones, can spark global conversation.
