The initiative, “No Stage for Rammstein,” has been advocating for the discontinuation of the three RAMMSTEIN concerts that are set to take place in mid-July in Berlin, in the wake of sexual assault allegations against the band’s lead vocalist, Till Lindemann.
RAMMSTEIN is scheduled to perform at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on the 15th, 16th, and 18th of July as a part of their European tour. Each concert, selling over 60,000 tickets per show, is fully booked.
Joe Chialo, the Cultural Senator of Berlin, has responded to the petition that has amassed over 74,000 signatures. He declared that the scheduled events will proceed as originally planned.
He noted: “The demand is emotionally understandable, but legally there is no leverage.”
“I’m always on the side of the victims, of course, and I take the allegations made by these women very seriously,” Chialo added.
Chialo underscored the importance of the principle of innocence until proven guilty. He cautioned against rushing to judgement, noting that the rapid pace of developments in situations like these makes them especially difficult to handle.
As previously reported, RAMMSTEIN frontman Till Lindemann is being investigated for sexual assault by Berlin prosecutors. The investigation was initiated after multiple women alleged that they were drugged and engaged in sexual activity at Rammstein’s after-show parties.
“Preliminary proceedings have been initiated against Till Lindemann, on allegations relating to sexual offences and the distribution of narcotics,” a spokeswoman for the Berlin public prosecution’s office said in a statement.
According to the AFP news agency, the investigation into Till Lindemann‘s alleged sexual assault is being carried out by Berlin prosecutors, who initiated it themselves and also based it on several criminal complaints filed by third parties who were not directly involved in the incidents.
The recent scandal involving RAMMSTEIN emerged when accusations of abuse were leveled against Till Lindemann. Young female fans claimed that they were handpicked by a Russian “casting director” named Alena Makeeva to attend exclusive parties with the band, particularly Lindemann. These women alleged that they were groomed and sexually assaulted by Lindemann at these events, with some also accusing him of drugging their drinks.
Following the allegations against Lindemann, the band’s four-night residency at Munich’s Olympic Stadium was marred by controversy. As a result, concert promoters canceled after-parties and a “row zero” experience, while RAMMSTEIN tightened security measures. German politicians demanded better protection for fans, particularly women, in the wake of the allegations.
