Anyma Promoter Loses Bid to Reinstate Canceled Istanbul Concert (Updated)

UPDATE (Sept. 9): Local authorities have denied an application to reinstate permits for a canceled performance in Istanbul.

A letter from the Istanbul Provincial Police Department dated Monday (Sept. 7) and reviewed by Billboard says the decision to deny the new application was made given the possibility that “differing views and reactions which may arise before or during the event could come into confrontation, thereby disrupting public order.” The statement continues that situations requiring the attention of security forces might happen and that it could therefore be difficult to made sure the event happens safely. The letter says that as such, holding the event under current circumstances “would not be appropriate in terms of public order and security.”

PREVIOUSLY: The promoter of a canceled Anyma performance in Turkey is appealing the decision by local authorities.

On Sunday (Sept. 6), Anyma announced that the show, scheduled to take place on Saturday (Sept. 12) at Istanbul’s Ataköy Marina Arena as part of his ÆDEN tour, had been canceled after visuals from a previous performance were changed with AI to make them appear different than they actually are.

“Selected darker moments from our story and show were taken out of context, manipulated with AI, paired with other music and circulated online to manufacture a false sinister narrative that simply does not exist and does not reflect the show’s essence or intention,” the artist born Matteo Milleri wrote on social media.

Religious groups claimed the visuals and the show at large were satanic and petitioned the Turkish Ministry of Culture, which subsequently revoked the previously approved show permits. Anyma’s statement continued that he and his team did not get the opportunity to discuss that decision with local authorities.

“None of my visuals are AI-generated and the greatest irony is that AI was used to alter my work by those who condemn it and they ultimately turned it into something to fit their own narrative,” Anyma’s statement added. “My art was turned into social media and political propaganda. What happened next is unacceptable…. Neither my team, the promoter, nor I received any meaningful warning or opportunity for dialogue before the show was cancelled. Nobody asked us to explain the work, provide context or discuss possible adaptations. We were and are ready to do so. We strongly reject the false religious and political meaning being attributed to this work. We have performed around the world and have always engaged in respectful conversation according to the local culture and customs. We would have willingly done the same in Türkiye, had legitimate concerns been raised through dialogue.”

The Turkish promoter of the performance has now submitted a second permit application that includes Anyma’s statement, along with the request for the decision to be reconsidered so the event can proceed as scheduled.

But with the Turkish government shutting down myriad musical performances by artists including Robbie Williams, Polish metal band Behemoth, Russian band Slaughter to Prevail and others over the last several years for reasons related to safety, politics and religion, security risks around the Anyma show remain high even if the permit is reinstated.

The Sept. 12 show had been anticipating roughly 12,000 international attendees. The promoters, as such, estimated that the performance could have represented millions in marketing, media and tourism value.

Anyma’s ÆDEN tour is scheduled for stops in Milan on Sept. 19, Madrid on Sept. 26 and shows in Sydney, Athens, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Paris and Santiago De Chile through the end of 2026.