Ekko Astral Postpone Album Release, Won’t Play Liberation Weekend II

News Ekko Astral Postpone Album Release, Won’t Play Liberation Weekend II The D.C. band said they need “time to recalibrate” in a statement By Hattie Lindert March 4, 2026 Save this story Save this story Ekko Astral are postponing the release of their new album The Beltway Is Burning . The Washington, D.C. punk band made the announcement today, March 4. also confirmed 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 Boise, 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 put it out 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 due to strain on her mental health. At the time, Tyler said she would play one final show with Ekko Astral at Liberation Weekend. But on February 6, Holzman filed a peace order against Tyler in 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 th...