Unpleasant news for Till Lindemann: A concert in Kassel was scheduled for Saturday (November 18, 2023). The Rammstein frontman wanted to perform in front of 6,200 fans in the sold-out Nordhessen Arena. According to media information, the city refused permission for the concert at short notice. There is currently no official confirmation from Lindemann.
According to information from “Bild”, the city of Kassel is said to have criticized inadequate fire protection in the ice rink built in 1977. This reasoning is in fact a concern for more and more people: the second division ice hockey club Kassel Huskies plays its games in the hall in front of an average of more than 3,000 spectators, and the third division handball derby between Eintracht Baunatal and MT Melsungen II recently took place there – again in front of more than 3,000 spectators.
“Permission is available for regular business, i.e. sporting events where spectators are in the stands and few people on the field,” says a city spokeswoman. “If a building is used differently than previously approved, a building permit is required.” Since the organizer did not meet the legal requirements for this, “approval cannot be issued.”
A spokeswoman for the organizer MM Konzerte stated that the agency applied for approval “with a comprehensive facility plan” on October 10th. “Bild” is surprised because advance sales have already been going on for several months. Why the late application? Answer MM Konzerte: “The building authority had signaled that the application should be submitted four to six weeks before the event.” Kassel only started processing the application at the beginning of November. On November 6th, the organizer was asked to submit further documents within four days.
“There were requirements that did not have to be met by the organizer, but rather related to the structural conditions of the North Hesse Arena.” But all the bureaucratic hurdles were overcome in time: “All of the city’s requirements were met. However, the city was unable to check the documents before the event began.”
Fans of the controversial Rammstein singer, who is touring solo with his “Lindemann” project, shouldn’t be happy about this. The 60-year-old faced allegations of abuse this year. No charges have been filed, but he and the band are more controversial than ever, and his label has put the collaboration on hold.
A spokesman for the city of Kassel confirms to “Bild” that protests were expected before the gig. But that didn’t play a role in the decision to cancel. “The crucial question was and is the ability to obtain approval under the law. The city currently does not have an approvable application with all the necessary documents.” Nevertheless, Lindemann’s supporters speculate whether the appearance was canceled out of fear.