Anyma's Istanbul Concert Cancelled Over 'Satanic' Imagery Claims; Promoter Appeals
Turkish authorities have revoked the permits for Anyma's Istanbul concert, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, after religious groups petitioned the Turkish Ministry of Culture claiming the show's visuals were satanic. The electronic artist, born Matteo Milleri, announced the cancellation on Sunday, September 6, stating that his team and promoter received no meaningful warning or opportunity for dialogue before the decision was made (Billboard).
The İstanbul Governor's Office first announced the ban on September 3, following a social media campaign by users in Turkey who circulated clips from Anyma's ÆDEN tour and alleged the imagery contained satanic symbolism (Turkish Minute). The show was set for Ataköy Marina Arena.
Anyma has firmly denied the accusations. He stated that none of his visuals are AI-generated, and claimed that AI was instead used by his detractors to alter his work before sharing it online as evidence. "None of my visuals are AI-generated," he said, countering the circulated clips (Billboard).
The Turkish promoter has not accepted the cancellation. A second permit application has now been submitted, this time including Anyma's statement, requesting that the decision be reconsidered so the event can proceed as scheduled (Billboard).
The stakes are considerable. The September 12 show had been anticipating roughly 12,000 international attendees, with promoters estimating the performance could represent millions in marketing, media and tourism value for the city (Billboard).
This is not the first time the Turkish government has shut down a concert over religious, political or safety concerns. Over the last several years, performances by Robbie Williams, Polish metal band Behemoth and Russian band Slaughter to Prevail have all been cancelled by Turkish authorities (Billboard).
For now, the rest of Anyma's ÆDEN tour remains on the schedule. Stops are planned in Milan, Madrid, Sydney, Athens, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Paris and Santiago de Chile through the end of 2026. Whether the Istanbul date can be salvaged now rests on the government's response to the promoter's appeal, with just days to go before the planned show.
