Feelings of Happiness Festival: Political controversy surrounding Alphaville and a clear stance against the right

The organizers of the Happiness Festival were hoping for “Good Vibes Only”. But after the back and forth over political statements and the disinvitation and re-invitation of the band Alphaville, a different sound resonated at many of the performances at the Hockenheimring.

“Welcome to the political event,” DJ Felix Jaehn called out to his fans from the stage and, as a queer person, positioned himself clearly against the right. And for the Berlin band Culcha Candela, Glücksfühle has now become “the most political festival in Germany”.

Discordant sounds and lots of good mood

Even on the second day of the festival, the dispute over Alphaville caused discord and debates, apart from the good atmosphere on the ring and the sold-out tickets. Marian Gold, whose band Alphaville was initially disinvited and later invited back, sharply criticized the organizers' move and warned of right-wing radical tendencies in Germany.

“What the festival organizers wanted to implement is circumcision,” Gold told “Spiegel”. "As an organizer, you can't just ignore certain things because you don't like them about the artist."

"Then goodnight, Germany"

Alphaville ("Big in Japan", "Forever Young") was supposed to perform at the festival this weekend, one of the largest music festivals in Germany. However, the organizers had stated that their festival was “not a platform for political expression”. Since Alphaville had made several political statements at an earlier event, the band was disinvited - and later invited back. She accepted the apology but decided not to appear.

The 72-year-old Gold warned of right-wing radical tendencies in Germany: It is high time to "vehemently oppose the anti-democratic and right-wing radical movements that are gaining more and more ground, before it is too late," said Gold. It would be “too late” when such forces got into office through elections and could restrict or abolish the rights guaranteed by the Basic Law. "If they succeed, then good night, Germany," he said.

Singer Gold: Debate has woken many people up

Gold also sees a positive effect in the debate: the media attention has promoted public discourse about the future of Germany and "perhaps woken up a lot of people."

In an Instagram post, he also thanked the "incredible wave of solidarity" and wrote: "You took this festival into your own hands and showed that feelings of happiness are the result of an inner attitude and not a decree from above."

On Saturday evening, the cult pop band No Angels performed wearing T-shirts with the inscription “FCK AFD”. “We stand for diversity, for equality, for free love. One thing is important to us: human dignity is inviolable,” said the four singers. Pop star Mark Forster called the Alphaville hit “Forever Young” the “national anthem of Hockenheim” during his performance.

Previously, rapper Ski Aggu, who performed on Saturday night, campaigned for the freedom of artists during his set. “If you have an opinion, never let it ban you,” he said from the stage. It is “absolutely natural that one stands up for values ​​such as democracy, freedom of expression, freedom”. As an artist you should be able and allowed to show attitude. "You should be able to stand up for the things you stand for."

Organizers row back - Podolski warns against insults

Co-organizer Markus Krampe had already described his original decision to uninvite Alphaville as a mistake on Friday: "That was super stupid." He would have welcomed it if the band had performed after the re-invitation - "then perhaps we could have made a statement."

Former soccer star and co-organizer Lukas Podolski stood behind his partner despite the controversy: "Everyone makes a mishap, a mistake in life." At the same time, he warned critics against insults on social media: He would not allow his family or himself to be insulted and did not want to be pushed into a political corner.