Unsound Festival Concerts Canceled Due To Accusations Of Satanism

Unsound Festival Concerts Canceled Due To Accusations Of Satanism

Due to claims that Poland’s Unsound Festival, which begins tomorrow in Krakow, “promotes and propagates Satanism,” festival organizers are being forced to find alternate venues for several concerts originally scheduled to take place in two churches. “These accusations, initially made in a letter to St. Catherine’s Church, are completely unfounded, unreasonable, and slanderous,” organizers write in an official statement on the Unsound website. “They undermine the good name of the festival, which since 2003 has been an enthusiastic participant in Krakow’s cultural life…We of course categorically deny that Satanism is now or has ever been promoted at our festival. The goal of the Unsound festival has always been bringing artists and audiences together in the promotion of art and culture.”

Nonetheless, officials at St. Catherine’s Church have decided to cancel a show by British neofolk group Current 93. “We are especially sorry because David Tibet — the founder and leader of Current 93 — sent us a statement in which he explains his faith as a Christian, as he has many times in interviews,” festival organizers say. “This letter was forwarded to the church, but without effect. He is upset and hurt by the fact we are now forced to change venues.” In addition, Pitchfork reports that three other shows at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul have also been canceled. Pianist John Tilbury, jazz guitarist Raphael Roginski, and experimental electronic musician Rrose were all scheduled to perform surprise sets at the venue.

Read the festival and Tibet’s full statements here. Unsound is taking place 10/11-18 — this year’s theme is “surprise,” so no full lineup has been announced, but confirmed performers include Andy Stott, Tim Hecker, Liturgy, Greg Fox, HEALTH, and Holly Herndon.

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