Lil Peep Fans Hold Worldwide Memorial Events on Anniversary of Death

As the line outside a secret location in Los Angeles’ warehouse district started to extend its reach across several blocks, Lil Peep fans—myself included—started breaking into song. “Hellboy,” “Fuck Fame,” the recently reworked “Life Is Beautiful”—all celebrated beneath gothic font Come Over When You’re Sober Pt. 1 era hoodies as we sipped and smoked our way to the front. At one point, a previously silent fan suddenly collapsed and was immediately brought back to his feet by total strangers. This sense of community, a true feeling of support from people you don’t even know, is not unlike the one fostered in the emo and ’00s punk often referenced in Peep’s music.

Thursday marked one year since Peep died on tour of an accidental fentanyl and xanax overdose, with family-sanctioned memorial events taking place in both New York and Los Angeles. The LA celebration of Peep’s life—co-hosted by Ham on Everything, HYV, and Masked Gorilla—featured DJ sets and appearances by frequent collaborators including Horsehead (“Girls,” etc.) and Smokeasac, who helped guide the posthumous Come Over When You’re Sober sequel to completion while honoring Peep’s initial vision.

In addition to the spinning of Peep cuts both new and old, even reaching as far back as 2015’s Lil Peep Part One, the inspiring and cathartic gathering of like minds and united spirits included a playlist of Peep’s personal favorites compiled in assistance with close friends featuring My Chemical Romance, NOFX, Speaker Knockerz, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Attendees were also given the chance to add their own messages to a Peep mural outside the venue.

Peep’s mother, Liza Womack, also FaceTimed from New York to thank everyone for coming together to celebrate her son’s art and advise longtime fans to be welcoming to those just now getting acquainted with the work, as that’s what Peep would have wanted.

Below, catch additional footage and photos from the memorials/celebrations in LA, NY, and other fan-helmed events across the world:

A new Pitchfork interview with Womack, conducted at her Long Island home, was published the same day. Womack discussed early childhood memories of Peep, his immediate dedication to his craft once beginning his musical journey, and much more. Read that here.

Rest in Peep.