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Olympic Stadium in Munich: Tens of thousands of fans
Photo: Felix Hörhager / dpa
The band Rammstein did not address the serious allegations against frontman Till Lindemann at the first German concert of their current European tour. In front of the full Munich Olympic Stadium with tens of thousands of spectators, singer Lindemann was as usual taciturn between the songs. He bid farewell to the audience with the words: "Munich, thank you for being here. Thank you for being with us."
In contrast to other concerts, the band dispensed with the song »Pussy«, to which Lindemann had been splashing the audience with a huge, penis-shaped foam cannon for years.
Allegations against Rammstein
Several women had made allegations against Lindemann in recent days. The women describe situations that they sometimes found frightening. Young women were selected during concerts and asked if they wanted to come to the after-show party. According to some women, sexual acts are also said to have occurred there. The women had previously been selected from an area at the very front of the auditorium – the so-called row zero.
Due to the allegations, around 60 people had protested against the band's performance before the concert and called on arrivals to boycott. The police had to keep individual aggressive fans away from the protesters. According to a police spokesman, the gathering went off without any major incidents.
In a statement, Rammstein said that the allegations had hit them very hard and that they were taken extremely seriously. "We condemn any kind of abuse and ask you: do not participate in public prejudice of any kind against those who have made accusations. They have a right to their point of view." But the band also has a right – namely not to be prejudged either.
Row zero prohibited
For the Munich concert, there have already been consequences due to the allegations. A row of fans in the security area directly in front of the stage, the so-called row zero, was banned. The concept for the after-show parties has also changed, it was said in the environment of the Berlin band. In addition, there should be own investigations of the band.
Rammstein is currently on a European tour. After three more concerts in Munich this week, the band will play three more German concerts in Berlin in July.
PTZ/dpa