Ikkimel, RapK and more performed for free on the occasion of the holiday. But apparently the gigs weren’t just fun for everyone.
Chaos because of free concerts on May 1st. After the holiday events, there was criticism on social media about the safety precautions at the shows that took place on Labor Day.
In particular, the circumstances surrounding rapper Ikkimel’s appearance were discussed afterwards. Many people complained on social media that the gig was poorly organized and that there was mass panic. Some people on TikTok described that there were panicked reactions in the crowd.
Ikkimel on Mariannenplatz
The artist appeared as a special guest on Mariannenplatz. The on-site event was organized by the Left Party. Ikkimel announced her appearance the day before via Instagram.
Despite the spontaneous announcement, around 9,000 people turned up on site on May 1st, according to press reports. The musician played for about half an hour – but within a very short time, according to visitors, there was a crowd. Since many streets lead to Mariannenplatz, people are said to have crowded in from all sides. The audience in the middle was allegedly squeezed further and further until, according to reports, there was no more room there. One person reported: “It was impossible to get out. People were screaming in front of me, people were pushing behind me.”
The left defends its security concept
The Left Party, which had organized the appearance, then contacted “rbb24” and explained that it had already planned for a larger crowd. The security concept is said to have been adapted to larger crowds before the show. Protective railings were built on the stage, professional security forces were hired and a large awareness team was deployed. According to the party, the paramedics treated all people who felt unwell.
The rescue workers, police and fire brigade did not officially report any mass panic.
RapK vs. Demo: Collision on Oranienstrasse
The rap crew RapK also played a free concert in Kreuzberg. Directly on Oranienstrasse near Rio-Reiser-Platz, as the group announced on May 1st. They did not take into account one crucial fact: at the same time, the revolutionary demonstration was supposed to move along exactly there. Due to the RapK gig, there were delays and confusion at the demonstration. Although the rappers tried to draw attention to the protest march and postponed the start of their show, a chaotic situation still arose around the performance. They explained to the “taz”: “Music has always been part of protest and protest has always been an elementary part of our music and socialization as Kreuzbergers. We tried to clear the way for the demo through announcements over the loudspeakers on site and posts on our Instagram account.”
BHZ and the social media principle
Such events are always intensively advertised in advance through social media, which is why the venue is hardly a surprise. This was also the case with BHZ on the eve of May 1st: the rap collective announced its show days before, so a large crowd gathered on site. Acute problems in the crowd could not be identified from press reports or social media.
Climbing trees and roofs
Nevertheless, according to press reports and social media, spectators at all three concerts climbed trees, street lamps and roofs to see the musicians – a dangerous development, which is why the concerts had to be partially interrupted.
What a security concept for such free performances should actually look like remains difficult to plan – especially since it is never certain how many people will show up on site.