Russian-singing band again tries to get into 'Sea Festival': organizers are holding firm

A Lithuanian band, "Loud Fish," is again seeking to perform at the "Sea Festival" in Klaipėda, but organizers are standing firm after controversy last year. The group faced significant criticism in 2023 when their performance included Russian-language songs, leading to an administrative case for disturbing public order.

At the time, festival organizers stated that the band's performance of Russian music was not coordinated with them. This year, the band claims they have been denied permission to perform. A video surfaced online showing a band member expressing frustration in Russian about not receiving a permit, stating that organizers had stopped communicating.

The band member later posted a video in Lithuanian, explaining their attempts since March to secure a street music permit for the festival. They alleged that their calls and emails were ignored. During a final conversation, the director of Klaipėda festivals reportedly offered a compromise: the band would have to abandon Russian-language songs and coordinate their repertoire with Dominykas Kubilius, a public figure who had previously criticized the band's Russian performances.

Klaipėda festival organizers, however, stated that "Loud Fish" initially applied when the program was still being formed, making immediate confirmation impossible. They noted that the final festival program was announced on July 9th. The organizers also mentioned that the band's participation was evaluated, but did not provide further details on the specific reasons for the denial.

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Nuо kovo mėnesio bandėme gauti leidimą surengti gatvės muzikos koncertą per „Jūros šventę“, Klaipėdoje, tačiau iki šiol negavome jokio konkretaus atsakymo. Mūsų skambučiai buvo ignoruojami, laiškai ignoruojami, tik paskambinus iš kito telefono numerio, kažkas atsiliepė, bet vėlgi, jokio konkretaus atsakymo nedavė.