Radical music: Ban on Watain concert sparks debate

Cancellation of Watain show raises issue of the place of ideologically problematic music here

Despite the cancellation, the band - including frontman Erik Danielsson (above) - turned up at the concert venue (top) at an industrial estate in Upper Paya Lebar, where they spent hours mingling with fans and signing autographs.
Despite the cancellation, the band - including frontman Erik Danielsson - turned up at the concert venue (above) at an industrial estate in Upper Paya Lebar, where they spent hours mingling with fans and signing autographs. PHOTOS: LIANHE ZAOBAO, FACEBOOK/WATAIN
Despite the cancellation, the band - including frontman Erik Danielsson (above) - turned up at the concert venue (top) at an industrial estate in Upper Paya Lebar, where they spent hours mingling with fans and signing autographs.
Despite the cancellation, the band - including frontman Erik Danielsson (above) - turned up at the concert venue at an industrial estate in Upper Paya Lebar, where they spent hours mingling with fans and signing autographs. PHOTOS: LIANHE ZAOBAO, FACEBOOK/WATAIN
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

The recent decision by the authorities to revoke the permit for a concert by Swedish band Watain, just hours before it was due to start on Thursday, has stirred debate on whether music backed by potentially problematic ideologies has a place in Singapore.

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) had initially given the show by the black metal band an R18 rating, with strict requirements that included the removal of songs which are religiously offensive.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on March 10, 2019, with the headline Radical music: Ban on Watain concert sparks debate. Subscribe