Roger Waters concert – “the city has no handle”

The statements made by Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who was criticized for anti-Semitism, also caused irritation in Hamburg – however, there is no question of canceling the concert in the Barclays Arena. "The statements made by Roger Waters are in fact at least irritating and contradictory and cast a shadow over his undisputed musical work," said a spokesman for the Hamburg cultural authority in Hamburg. The city itself cannot cancel the concert planned for May 7th. "The concert does not take place under the city's responsibility, which is why the city has no power to stop the event."

The organizer FKP Scorpio also refers to a press release from Roger Waters lawyers. As a result, as an artist affected by the decisions, Waters decided to take legal action against decisions that would prevent him from performing. "As long as these procedures are not completed, we cannot comment further," said an FKP Scorpio spokesman.

Among other things, Waters has been criticized for his proximity to the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaign, which calls for a boycott of the State of Israel and its assets because of the Palestine policy. At concerts he released pig-shaped balloons with a Star of David. Statements about the war in Ukraine also caused a stir - for example that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to use it to fight fascism in the country and that the USA was a main aggressor.

Waters wants to appear in Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt am Main in May. There were protests and calls for bans in all five cities. Waters then announced legal action against possible bans and invoked freedom of expression. In addition, he was not anti-Semitic, he said through his management. "My well-known views relate solely to the policies and actions of the Israeli government and not to the people of Israel," he said. "Anti-Semitism is abhorrent and racist, and I condemn it as unequivocally as all forms of racism."

In the news magazine "Der Spiegel" he commented on the balloon in the form of a flying pig. It's part of every show where he plays the song "In the Flesh". He removed the Star of David after complaints. But he stands by his original decision to use it. "He was one of many symbols representing dogmas that I find repugnant. Religious dogmas like Judaism, Christianity and Islam," Waters told Der Spiegel.

Hamburg's second mayor Katharina Fegebank (Greens) also commented on the concert last week. "Unlike other cities, Hamburg cannot ban the concert," she told the Hamburger Abendblatt. The event will take place in a private hall and will be organized by a private organizer.

The science senator turned to the potential concert-goers: “All fans and concert-goers should consider whether they want to offer Waters a stage. Together we have the chance to actively oppose anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism and not simply accept this concert without criticism. It doesn't matter how great we think the music is."