Alphaville Singer Criticizes Festival ‘Censorship’ and Warns of Germany’s Far-Right Drift

Marian Gold, the singer of Alphaville, has intensified his criticism of the Glücksgefühle Festival after organizers first disinvited his band and later invited it back. He described the organizers’ approach as “censorship” and warned of growing far-right tendencies in Germany.

“What the festival organizers wanted to impose is censorship,” Gold told Der Spiegel. “As an organizer, you can’t simply block out certain things because you don’t like them about the artist.”

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What the festival organizers wanted to impose is censorship.

Alphaville had been scheduled to perform at the festival at the Hockenheimring, one of Germany’s largest music events. Organizers said the festival was “not a platform for political statements.” Because the band had made political comments several times at an earlier event, it was disinvited and later re-invited. Alphaville accepted the apology but chose not to perform.

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As an organizer, you can’t simply block out certain things because you don’t like them about the artist.

Other artists used the festival’s opening day to support the band or speak in favor of political freedom of expression. Further statements were expected on the second day, including appearances by the Berlin band Culcha Candela and DJ Felix Jaehn.

Gold said the controversy could still have a positive effect by encouraging public debate. “The media attention created by this whole conflict has, at best, advanced the current public discussion about where Germany should go and perhaps awakened many people,” the 72-year-old said.

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The media attention created by this whole conflict has, at best, advanced the current public discussion about where Germany should go and perhaps awakened many people.

He also urged people to confront anti-democratic and far-right movements before it was too late. “Too late” would mean such forces entering government through elections and restricting or abolishing rights guaranteed by Germany’s Basic Law, he said. “If they succeed, then good night, Germany.” The festival is backed by former football star Lukas Podolski and event manager Markus Krampe, and organizers expect around 250,000 spectators.

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If they succeed, then good night, Germany.