AreaRead the video transcript here
In the afternoon, Rammstein fans in Munich queue up at the merchandise stand in front of the concert hall where the controversial rock band plays in the evening. The group, and in particular the singer Till Lindemann, is accused by several women of systematically drugging young female fans at backstage parties, among other things. Two women told the »Süddeutsche Zeitung« of alleged sexual acts to which they had not consented.
What do the fans have to say about it?
Hella Echelmeier, Rammstein fan:
"I think this is a very delicate and, above all, very serious topic, which you have to deal with very carefully. There are a lot of accusations in the room, whether true or not, I don't want to judge that at all. I think Till has the right to refuse. But I also think the victims have exactly the right to say something about it and to make themselves loud. Especially if all this is true, that you help them, also in the future, that you help women there.«
Andrea Rusdorfer, Rammstein fan:
"As far as I know, and this is my personal opinion, it has not yet been proven and it is all a matter of interpretation. So I don't want to judge the women or favor the band or anything, but it's really yes. Everyone can make up their own mind about it.«
Mesut Öztürk, Rammstein fan:
"Nobody, at least I can't imagine, says I think it's good when something like this works. But I don't think it's good that there is such a general suspicion in general and then the songs are no longer played or boycotted.«
Michael Prütz, Rammstein fan:
"So I would always say that as in a divorce talk to the man, then you will say what a bad woman. Talk to the woman, it will always say: What a bad man! You should always hear both sides."
Many Rammstein fans apparently still have confidence in the band, and don't let the accusations stop them from attending the concert. After the allegations became known, the group released a statement to its fans on its website, saying:
"It is important to us that you feel comfortable and safe at our shows. We condemn any kind of abuse."
However, Nina Fuchs, who advocates for victims of knockout drops and sexualised violence, is not convinced, she warns:
Nina Fuchs, Chairwoman of »K.O – Kein Opfer«:
"I'm actually worried that, despite this media attention, what has been going on there for years will simply be repeated, namely that assaults are taking place, that forms of sexualized violence are taking place, that women are deliberately somehow drunk or drugged, and that not enough is being done to really be able to stop it completely."
The »Row Zero«, i.e. the special area in front of the stage to which the young women were invited and from which they were later led backstage, will not be present in Munich at this concert. This was demanded, among other things, by the Greens, who sit on the city council in Munich.
David Süß, The Greens:
"We also have a clear commitment from the local organizer and now also from the band that there will be no role zero, that there will be no after-show parties and that we will definitely have a security space next to a secure tent, a large team on site."
Rammstein are playing a total of four concerts in Munich, their tour has just begun – the band recently announced that they had hired a law firm to investigate the allegations.