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🇩🇪 Germany /Culture & Society

U-turn and criticism: Artists make a statement at festival after Alphaville dispute

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Several artists performed Alphaville’s “Forever Young” at Germany’s Glücksgefühle Festival after the band stayed away despite being reinvited.
  • Organizers initially excluded Alphaville after asking performers not to discuss politics onstage, prompting criticism over free expression and artistic freedom.
  • Co-organizer Markus Krampe called the original decision a mistake, while other artists used the festival to speak about democracy, diversity, human rights and opposition to far-right extremism.

Alphaville’s more than 40-year-old hit “Forever Young” made an unexpected return at Germany’s Glücksgefühle Festival after the band refused to attend, even after organizers invited it back.

That was super stupid

· Markus KrampeThe festival co-organizer described his original decision to exclude Alphaville.

Several performers spontaneously added the song to their sets at the Hockenheimring. The gesture followed a dispute that began when organizers asked artists not to discuss politics during their performances. Alphaville was first disinvited, then reinvited after media coverage intensified, but stayed away.

The decision cast a shadow over the festival’s opening and drew heavy criticism. Co-organizer Markus Krampe admitted it had been a mistake. “That was super stupid,” he said, adding that he would have welcomed an Alphaville appearance after the reinvitation because it might have allowed the festival to send a signal.

Then perhaps we could also have sent a signal

· Markus KrampeKrampe said he would have welcomed Alphaville performing after being reinvited.

Krampe said visitors had complained about political remarks made by Alphaville singer Marian Gold at an earlier concert. According to him, they wanted to switch off at the festival rather than hear subjects already covered in the news. Organizers described the event as “completely apolitical” and said the issue was the festival’s format and its “Good vibes only” promise, not Gold’s political views.

gag order

· Marian GoldThe Alphaville singer described the organizers’ demand not to make political statements.

Alphaville rejected the demand as an improper restriction on freedom of opinion, speech and art. Gold called it a “gag order” and a hostile, unnecessary process. DJ Beauty & the Beats also canceled, saying artists should speak up for democracy, diversity and human rights and against far-right extremism. DJ Felix Jaehn asked, “Since when is art supposed to be apolitical?” and said he would use the stage to deliver a political message. Former Germany football international Lukas Podolski defended Krampe, saying everyone makes mistakes and life moves on.

Since when is art supposed to be apolitical?

· Felix JaehnThe DJ criticized the festival’s request and defended artists’ right to make political statements.
About this summary

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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