The Bernese dialect musicians Lauwarm have to end their concert performance early because guests felt “uncomfortable”. The accusation: Since the band consists of five white men, some with Rastafarian hairstyles, they are not allowed to play reggae.
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Because the originally planned and announced band canceled, the Bernese dialect band Lauwarm jumped in at short notice for a concert in the Brasserie Lorraine in Bern on July 18th. The five-piece band entertained the concert-goers with reggae, indi-world and pop.
Until the break. The organiser, the Brasserie Lorraine cooperative, then canceled the concert because various visitors had expressed “uncomfortable with the situation”. The brasserie explained itself on social media:
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“During the concert, several people independently approached us and expressed their discomfort with the situation,” the statement said. “It was about the topic of ‘cultural appropriation’. After talking to the band, we decided together to cancel the concert.”
The accusation: Since the band consists of five white men, some with Rastafarian hairstyles, they are not allowed to play reggae.
Organizer cancels concert due to objections from some guests and admits “gaps in awareness”
The organizer apologizes “to all the people who felt bad about the concert.” They missed dealing with it enough and protecting people. And further: “Our awareness gaps and the reaction of many guests to the cancellation of the concert have shown us once again that the topic is emotionally charged and that we need to talk and listen to each other.”
Lukewarm band leader: “Are not racists”
The lukewarm musicians reacted “surprised and horrified.” “The mood was great,” said band leader Dominik Plumettaz to the Swiss news portal ” 20min.ch” . During the break, however, the organizer told them that “some guests had trouble because of the cultural appropriation and that it would be better if we stopped the concert.”
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“I’ve never heard of cultural appropriation, I didn’t even know what it was. We have never been confronted with this accusation before,” said Plumettaz. “We are not racists. I have ancestors from Africa. One in our band who has dreadlocks has a dark-skinned wife and a lot of friends from African countries. Accusing us of racism and discrimination is wrong.”
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