God Is An Astronaut speak out after Turkey gig cancellation: "It just feels like the world has gone crazy"

Irish rock band God Is An Astronaut are one of a number of acts to have had shows in Turkey cancelled following accusations of “Satanism".

Guitarist Torsten Kinsella said the band were informed of the decision shortly after arriving in Istanbul on Thursday evening.

“When we arrived we were taken to the hotel and the promoter said to us, ‘When you've settled in, come downstairs and we'll have a quick chat,’” Kinsella said.

“I thought it was a bit abnormal. We went down, and he said ‘unfortunately the concert is not going to take place tomorrow’. I thought he was messing. He said they've been having incidents all week.”

Kinsella referenced other recent cancellations, including shows by Polish metal band Behemoth and US-based act Slaughter to Prevail, who are originally from Russia. The Besiktas district governor's office in Istanbul said there was public outcry over the gigs because of "their incompatibility with our societal values".

Opposition to the concerts was apparently led by the Yeni Akit newspaper, often considered a mouth-piece for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Yeni Akit said bands like Behemoth and Slaughter To Prevail "promote satanism through their writing and visuals representing the devil."

Kinsella said that his band were told by the promoter that it would be unsafe to perform.

“They're saying it's unsafe for us to travel and it would be unsafe for our fans as well. Even as many as 3,000 protesters could show up and cause a huge problem, so that was the first time I got an inkling that we're in an unsafe environment here.”

The band have played in Turkey four or five times previously without any such issues.

“This is the first time we've ever experienced anything like this,” Kinsella said.

Kinsella suggested that it was the band’s name that has contributed to the controversy, because the use of the word “God” in a non-worship context is viewed as offensive by some groups.

“The word God to them is extremely sacred and it shouldn't be used in any way other than worship. So if you use it as God is anything, you know, it will offend them,” he said.

“It just feels like the world has gone crazy, that's what it feels like.  It's not like we've ever promoted any satanic messages or anything like that - the music is instrumental. I guess there's a very little tolerance when you use the word 'God' in in anything. They take their views very seriously."

There was added disappointment due to the fact that the gig had almost sold out, with Kinsella saying that fans had flown in from around Turkey specifically for the show. It is unclear whether or not fans, as well as the band, will be compensated.

"It sounds like to me they don't want to actually outright cancel our event,” he said. “They just want to postpone it since it was essentially a sold-out show. They want it to come back. [the promoter] even mentioned at the time to change our name to G-I-A-A or something, so it wouldn't draw attention. But it just seems all real surreal to me.

“They said they would cover our expenses, whatever that means. Doing the show was easier, after getting here with all your stuff and ] getting all the logistics right. To come over here after doing all the hard work and not get the full payment is a huge blow for us, because it would have been something that we you know we're relying on financially.”

The band were initially holding off on making a public statement at the promoter’s request.

“They'd asked us not to make a statement because we could inflame the situation the way it was earlier in the week but I just told them that's not possible,” he said.

“But when your reputation is with the audience, you have to say something. They want an explanation."

For now, God Is An Astronaut plan keep a low profile and return to Ireland.

“I’m just looking forward to being able to get back to Ireland and get ready for our next March European tour, which is what's next.”