Foo Fighters change Pantera at Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park festivals

Foo Fighters are set to interchange Pantera at two German festivals after the steel band was dropped from the line-up earlier this week (January 23).

Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park festivals introduced that they had been eradicating Pantera from the line-up over an outcry regarding past allegations of racism.

The reformed band, that includes Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown, Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante, had been as a consequence of carry out on the festivals that happen between June 2-4 in Nürburgring and Nürnberg, respectively.

The assertion from the festivals asserting information of their resolution stated: “In the previous couple of weeks, we’ve had many intensive conversations with artists, our companions and also you, the pageant followers, we’ve continued to take care of the criticism collectively and determined to take away the band from the programme.”

Now, Foo Fighters have revealed they are going to be acting at each festivals.

Writing on Instagram, the band stated: “Germany – we’ll see you Friday, June 2nd at Rock Am Ring and Sunday, June 4th at Rock Im Park! Tickets on sale now!” You’ll be able to see the submit under.

NME has reached out to representatives of Pantera for remark.

The allegations of racism against Pantera date back to 2016 when frontman Anselmo offered to leave his band Down following an incident in which he was filmed carrying out a Nazi salute and shouting “white power”.

Anselmo was compelled to apologise after being caught on movie making the salute on the finish of his efficiency at Dimebash 2016, a pageant held in Hollywood in tribute to his late bandmate Dimebag Darrell.

Anselmo initially dismissed his actions as a “joke” earlier than later issuing a press release that learn: “Each citizen on this whole world has the unalienable proper to stay with dignity and respect with out hate or oppression. And I imply this, with all of my crushed, but, responsible coronary heart.

“It’s widespread data that we will select to both be taught from our errors, or proceed on a path of insensitivity and destruction. I’m totally liable for the errors I’ve made, and may solely offer you my phrase to not do them within the current, by means of motion, not simply mere phrases.

“My band mates at the moment are experiencing the implications of my behaviour, and I now publicly apologise to them as nicely. By no means in my whole lifetime would I drag them down with me, and I’ve privately recommended to them that they transfer on with out me.”

Anselmo additionally described himself as “repulsed by my very own actions”, saying that he “perceive[s] if I’m shunned until I hit the filth”.

He later issued a video apology. In that, he stated: “Philip H Anselmo right here, and I’m right here to principally reply to all the warmth I’ve been getting that I deserve utterly. I used to be on the Dimebash and it was extraordinarily late at evening, there was heavy-duty discuss between myself and those that love Dime. Heavy feelings had been flowing, jokes had been made backstage, that transpired upon the stage, and it was ugly, it was uncalled for, and anybody who is aware of me and my true nature is aware of that I don’t imagine in any of that.

“I don’t need to be a part of any group,” he continued, “I’m a person and I’m a thousand p.c apologetic to anybody that took offence to what I stated, since you ought to have taken offence to what I stated. And I’m so sorry. I hope you give me one other probability… I really like all of you. Anybody who is aware of me is aware of that I really like all of you. Bless you.”

His actions were condemned by members of the music world at the time.

Pantera were also dropped from another festival this week in Vienna. It’s not but clear if the band’s deliberate look at Planet.tt Financial institution Austria Halle Gasometer pertains to the cancellations in Germany. Organisers issued a statement saying that “all tickets will be returned the place they had been bought,” earlier than thanking followers for his or her “understanding”.

In the meantime, Foo Fighters issued a statement earlier this month (January 1) confirming they will continue without late drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died last year.

Hawkins died in Bogotá, Colombia, in March 2022 whereas the band had been on tour in South America. He was 50 years outdated.

• READ MORE: Taylor Hawkins, 1972 – 2022: Foo Fighters drummer who always stole the show

Foo Fighters’ solely performances since his demise got here at two massive tribute concerts in London and Los Angeles in September.

“As we are saying goodbye to essentially the most tough and tragic 12 months that our band has ever identified, we’re reminded of how grateful we’re for the those who we love and cherish most, and for the family members who’re not with us,” the band stated in a press release posted to social media.

“Foo Fighters had been fashioned 27 years in the past to signify the therapeutic energy of music and a continuation of life. And for the previous 27 years our followers have constructed a worldwide group, a faithful help system that has helped us all get by means of the darkest of instances collectively. A spot to share our pleasure and our ache, our hopes and fears, and to affix in a refrain of life collectively by means of music.

“With out Taylor, we by no means would have turn into the band that we had been – and with out Taylor, we all know that we’re going to be a distinct band going ahead.”

They concluded the assertion by acknowledging how a lot Hawkins had meant to Foo Fighters’ followers and promised: “We all know that after we see you once more – and we are going to quickly – he’ll be there in spirit with all of us each evening.”

They later announced their first round of gigs – details of which can be found here.