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Erlangen Asks Hosts Not to Play Twelve Songs Deemed Sexist at Bergkirchweih

The city says the recommendation aims to make the festival safer for women by discouraging songs its equality office judged to foster a hostile atmosphere.

Overview

  • On Friday the city equality office sent Bergkirchweih hosts a twelve‑song list asking that tracks judged sexist or frauenfeindlich be avoided during the festival.
  • The list names a mix of recent party hits and decades‑old classics, including “Layla,” “Skandal im Sperrbezirk” and several Mickie Krause titles, and provides lyric excerpts that officials say justify the guidance.
  • Erlangen frames the document as non‑binding guidance rooted in a 2021 city council resolution and a 2025 visitor complaint about sexist songs and groping, but it tells hosts to clarify setlists with bands and staff.
  • Artists and political figures denounced the move as censorship while the Bergwirte association urged a pragmatic approach and said it is unclear how strictly individual hosts or bands will comply.
  • The episode follows similar municipal song reviews in Bavaria and could widen disputes about festival culture, safety and free expression as other cities weigh music rules and enforcement challenges.