Current:Home > StocksConservative Muslims in Indonesia protest Coldplay concert over the band’s LGBTQ+ support -Global Finance Compass
Conservative Muslims in Indonesia protest Coldplay concert over the band’s LGBTQ+ support
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:44:44
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — More than 200 conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia’s capital on Wednesday, calling for the cancellation of a Coldplay concert that night over the British band’s support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The protesters, marching about 1 kilometer (half a mile) away from the concert venue in Jakarta where the band was set to perform, held a large banner that read: “Reject, cancel and disband Coldplay concerts.” It described the band as an LGBTQ+ “propagandist,” saying its stance damages “faith and morals.”
The same protest group also staged demonstrations last week at several locations in Jakarta, including the British Embassy.
Indonesia is secular and has a long history of religious tolerance, but a small extremist fringe has become more vocal in recent years.
Coldplay is renowned for interlacing its values with its shows, such as the band’s push for environmental sustainability. Lead singer Chris Martin has been known to wear rainbow colors and wave gay pride flags during performances.
The protests follow concert cancellations earlier this year in Southeast Asia over LGBTQ+-related issues. British pop rock band The 1975 canceled its shows in Jakarta and Taipei in July after the Malaysian government cut short a music festival in the wake of the band’s lead singer slamming the country’s anti-gay laws and kissing a male bandmate during their performance.
Lady Gaga canceled her sold-out show in Indonesia in 2012 over security concerns after Muslim hard-liners threatened violence if the pop star went ahead with her “Born This Way Ball” concert.
The Asian leg of Coldplay’s “Music Of The Spheres World Tour” includes Wednesday’s concert at Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta. More than 70,000 tickets were sold in less than two hours when sales opened in May.
Jakarta is one of the band’s top streaming hubs, with 1.6 million fans in the city.
___
Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
veryGood! (98)
Related
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- What is the best used SUV to buy? Consult this list of models under $10,000
- Court reinstates Arkansas ban of electronic signatures on voter registration forms
- Detroit Red Wings sign Lucas Raymond to 8-year contract worth more than $8M per year
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Jordan Chiles takes fight over Olympic bronze medal to Swiss high court
- Second person dies from shooting at Detroit Lions tailgate party
- 23andMe agrees to $30 million settlement over data breach that affected 6.9 million users
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Judge finds man incompetent to stand trial in fatal shooting of Cleveland police officer
Ranking
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- If the Fed cuts interest rates this week, how will your finances be impacted?
- Volkswagen, Porsche, Mazda among 100,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
- How seven wealthy summer residents halted workforce housing on Maine’s Mount Desert Island
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- A man took a knife from the scene after a police shooting in New York City
- 90 Day Fiancé’s Big Ed Brown Engaged to Porscha Raemond 24 Hours After Meeting at Fan Event
- Harry Potter’s Tom Felton Makes Rare Public Appearance With Girlfriend Roxanne Danya in Italy
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Emmy Awards ratings up more than 50 percent, reversing record lows
Footage for Simone Biles' Netflix doc could be smoking gun in Jordan Chiles' medal appeal
Maná removes song with Nicky Jam in protest of his support for Trump
'Most Whopper
'He didn't blink': Kirk Cousins defies doubters to lead Falcons' wild comeback win vs. Eagles
Loyal pitbull mix Maya credited with saving disabled owner's life in California house fire
Justin Timberlake Shares Tour Update After Reaching Deal in DWI Case