Anyma Istanbul show cancelled following "satanic" imagery claims

Italian electronic artist Anyma's scheduled performance in Istanbul as part of his ÆDEN tour has been cancelled following concerns raised by local authorities regarding the content of his live show. The event, which was set to take place at the Ataköy Marina Arena on September 12th, had its approval withdrawn amidst accusations circulating on social media that the artist's audiovisual presentation contained imagery associated with satanic rituals.

The cancellation was confirmed through a statement from the Provincial Press and Public Relations Director of Istanbul, Emin Gökçegözoğlu, as reported by the independent fact-checking organization Teyit 1. Although the Istanbul Governor’s Office has not issued a formal announcement, local officials cited the alleged inclusion of “satanic elements” in Anyma’s performance as the reason for revoking the event permit.

Despite the cancellation, tickets for the show remain available for purchase on the Passo platform, which as of early September continued to operate under the impression that the concert would proceed as scheduled. Automated responses from the ticketing service indicated that any updates would be communicated directly to ticket holders, reflecting a potential lag in disseminating the cancellation information.

This incident is not isolated in Turkey’s recent music scene, where other artists have faced last-minute show cancellations due to similar controversies. Notably, the Irish post-rock band God Is An Astronaut had a concert at the same Istanbul venue halted just hours before it was due to begin earlier this year, following accusations that their work promoted satanic themes.

Anyma, who is also known as the leader of the Afterlife label, has been actively touring with his ÆDEN audiovisual project, which follows the release of the deluxe edition of his album The End Of Genesys in December. The album features collaborations such as the single “Out Of My Body” with EJAE, and the tour represents a continuation of his explorations into immersive electronic music experiences.

The cancellation in Istanbul not only disrupts Anyma’s current tour schedule but also highlights ongoing tensions within Turkey regarding cultural events and their perceived content. The role of social media in amplifying concerns and influencing official decisions appears significant in this case, with clips from the live show shared online prompting swift governmental response.

At this stage, there has been no public statement from Anyma or his management addressing the cancellation or the allegations. The situation underscores the challenges artists may face in presenting avant-garde or provocative content in regions where cultural sensitivities and political considerations intersect.

As the music community processes this development, further details remain sparse. Observers will be watching for any official clarifications from Istanbul authorities or responses from Anyma’s team. Meanwhile, the incident adds to a pattern of concert disruptions in Turkey that have implications for artistic freedom and the international touring circuits of electronic and experimental musicians.