After ZDF Disinvitation: Danger Dan and Igor Levit Play Replacement Concert in Berlin

Danger Dan criticized the broadcaster's decision as an infringement on freedom of expression and artistic freedom. Speaking to Spiegel Online, the musician explained that in the song he calls on no one to enter the criminal underworld. Rather, the song is about how effective anti-fascist structures can be built.

ZDF's Reasoning

ZDF justified the cancellation of the appearance in an episode of the ZDF magazine "Aspekte" on Saturday evening with an assessment of the song's content. The broadcaster stated that the lyrics could be understood as a guide to political extremism that promotes vigilantism and does not rule out illegal acts and violence.

The anniversary episode of "Die Anstalt" will air on Tuesday at 10:15 p.m. on ZDF and, according to the broadcaster, will address the topics of radicalization and the defensibility of democracy. The show's hosts criticized the cancellation of the appearance; the episode had already been made available in advance as a stream. In the "Aspekte" broadcast, numerous experts on the topic also had their say.

Donations for Opferperspektive

According to the organizers, the proceeds from ticket sales for the replacement concert are to be donated to the association Opferperspektive, which works as the central contact point in Brandenburg for those affected by right-wing, racist, and antisemitic violence. According to those involved, this gives the concert a solidarity component beyond the artistic engagement.

By relocating the performance to the Columbia Theater, Danger Dan and Igor Levit are choosing an independent venue that lies outside the structures of public-service broadcasting. The timing of the concert on Tuesday evening, immediately before the TV broadcast of the anniversary episode at 10:15 p.m., reinforces its character as a programmatic counter-event.

Background of the Debate

Daniel Pongratz, known by his civilian name as Danger Dan, is part of the German music scene and had hoped to reach a large audience with the planned appearance on "Die Anstalt." Pianist Igor Levit, known for his political engagement and public statements, has repeatedly spoken out on societal issues in the past. With their joint performance, both artists are expressing solidarity with the cause of the song and the debate over artistic freedoms.

The dispute over the song "Keine Angst" thus also stands for a broader debate about the limits of satirical and cultural-political appearances on public-service television. While Danger Dan criticizes the cancellation as censorship, ZDF points to what it considers a problematic effect of the lyrics. The replacement concert on Tuesday evening will show how great the response to the issue will be outside the classic TV audience.