Recommendations of the Editorial team
Yungblud took a forceful stand against the protests in Iran during his performance in Melbourne at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Tuesday (January 13), urging fans not to remain silent. A video one of which has now gone viral.
In a fiery speech, the musician called for the voices of the many demonstrating Iranians to be advocated as the government in Tehran is using violent means to prevent them from fighting for their freedom.
Yungblud: “Two years ago I spoke about a girl named Mahsa Amini from Iran who was murdered because she didn’t wear a hijab (headscarf for Muslim women that must be worn in public, editor’s note). And no, it’s not my place to question someone else’s religion, but this community is fighting for equality and freedom all over the damn world.”
Fight for freedom
The 28-year-old continued: “What is happening in Iran right now is of great importance because this revolution is led by women. Their internet and electricity have been cut off for four days. They are sitting in the dark. They are asking us for our voice. We have to be their damn light now.”
Almost out of breath and sweating from his own performance, Yungblud practically shouted his appeal into the audience: “So speak, shout, post, because they are fighting for freedom, they are fighting for their freedom, they are fighting for our freedom. Because no one will be free if some are not.”
Yungblud and Iran
Yungblud has been considered a politically aware artist for years. In the past he has also commented several times on the social situation in Iran. The country has been ruled in a mix of theocracy and republic since 1979. Supreme Religious Leader Ali Khamenei has the final say. Popular uprisings have already been suppressed with brutal force.
In Melbourne, the musician recalled his speech at the Firefly Music Festival in Delaware in 2022. Here he interrupted his performance for a moment to talk to his fans about the death of Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old died after being arrested by moral police in September 2022 for not wearing a hijab. This led to mass protests in the country.
Yungblud at the time: “I’m not going to stand here and question anyone’s religion, but I’m going to fucking fight for freedom of speech. I’m going to fight for freedom and I’m going to fight for the women of fucking Iran now.”