NZ venues cancel concerts by former Pantera frontman over racist remarks

Music venues in Christchurch and Auckland have canceled upcoming concerts by former Pantera frontman Philip Anselmo and his band The Illegals.

Christchurch’s Club Tavern and Aukland’s Galatos announced via Facebook that the shows scheduled for next week had been axed.

According to the New Zealand Herald, Club Tavern’s now-deleted post said: “The Philip Anselmo gig has been cancelled, we do not and will not support white supremacy or racism.”

In another post which has been removed, Auckland venue Galatos wrote: “Galatos will not be hosting this show in our venue on the above date. Just today, information has come to hand which has made us uncomfortable about proceeding with this show.”

Philip Anselmo is infamous for his racist beliefs around white supremacism. During the 2016 run of Dimebash (founded to honour Pantera’s late guitarist Dimebag Darrell), Anselmo used the Nazi salute and shouted “white power” at the crowd.

Watch Philip Anselmo shout “white power” to the crowd at Dimebash

Ben Mulchin, the tour promoter for Philip Anselmo and The Illegals, issued a statement to the New Zealand Herald where he referenced Anselmo’s past apology for the Dimebash incident.

“When his band offered to tour here I did have to soul search,” Mulchin said. “Did his apologies seem earnest? Did he fully comprehend his hateful display? Did he – as a prominent figure in metal – take responsibility on how his actions can embolden and encourage others to hate? I think this last thought is pretty important in the current situation.”

The news comes just days after the horrific and tragic terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch where a total of 49 people were killed. It has become the deadliest mass shooting in modern New Zealand history.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.