What started as a small decision by Oxfordshire folk-rock artist Dolly Mavies quickly turned into a global story. The singer, whose real name is Molly Davies, walked away from a performance in Daylesford after hearing that US Vice-President JD Vance could be in the audience.
Mavies explained that she and her band became uneasy when they arrived at the venue. They noticed unusually heavy security, including a convoy of police motorbikes and large vehicles, which raised suspicions. Choosing not to perform, the group quietly left the stage before their set began.
After posting a short video about the experience online, the story spread rapidly, catching the attention of international media and eventually reaching the White House. The move brought Mavies a flood of supportive messages from around the world and a sharp rise in social media followers.
“Obviously there’s an overwhelming sense of support in America,” she said. “Many people feel uncertain and unheard, so it was amazing to know that such a small action resonated with them.”
Not all the responses were positive. Some critics accused her of using the situation as a PR stunt, a claim she rejected. “We definitely didn’t do that at all. If we were that clever, we’d have done something long before now,” she joked.
Despite the criticism, Mavies believes her walkout highlighted the power of peaceful protest. “Leaving is the simplest way to make a point,” she said. “It may have upset some people, but not everyone is going to agree — and that’s okay.”
Mavies, who released her debut album The Calm & The Storm last year, says she was amazed by the ripple effect her choice created. “It was such a small action, but it had a really big impact.”
