Indonesian Band Pull Out Of Aussie Music Festival Over “Political Issues”

An Indonesian metal band have cancelled an upcoming Perth appearance due to unspecified “political issues”. Speaking in a video posted to the Facebook page of Perth’s Stormrider Heavy Metal Festival, Lord Symphony apologised to the fans who were set to see them later this month.

“Unfortunately, we are very sorry and sad [that due to] political issues and other circumstances, we cannot join and participate,” said lead singer Arif Hartoyo in the short video statement. However, the band would not elaborate on the “political issues” preventing their trip.

Inevitably, some fans have begun to speculate that the situation may have something to do with the beleaguered relations between Australia and Indonesia in the wake of the executions of convicted Bali Nine drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who were put to death in Indonesia last month.

In a statement accompanying the video, organisers claim that “visas” were also an issue for the power metal group. According to a comment left by festival organisers, the band’s manager informed organisers that the group members’ visas had been “knocked back”.

Just three weeks out from the event, organisers say they will not announce a replacement. They will instead lengthen the sets of the local Perth acts slated to perform. The lineup features locals Lord, Silent Knight, and Harlott, who will play Perth’s Civic Hotel on 23rd May.

Mere weeks after the executions of Chan and Sukumaran, an action that was criticised by many in Australia, including several prominent entertainers, it still remains to be seen just what impact Indonesia’s actions will have on relations between their government and Australia.

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The Federal government has withdrawn its ambassador to Indonesia and some Australians are calling for a tourist boycott of Bali, a popular tourist location for many Australians. Among those who criticised the executions were Aussie bands The Temper Trap and The Presets.

The latter stirred controversy after Facebook comments about Chan and Sukumaran prompted a war of words between the band and their fans. At one point, the pair told their Facebook followers that if they agree with murder “you are a total cunt and can fuck off”. The duo later apologised.

Immediately following the executions, vocalist Julian Hamilton took to Facebook to pen a thoughtful and moving statement about the duo, reflecting on his grief over the deaths of Chan and Sukumaran and urging fans to “celebrate life and everything it has to offer”.

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