Irish band has two German gigs canceled after they refuse to take down Palestinian flag

The Murder Capital had two of their concerts in Germany canceled this weekend after they refused to take down a Palestinian flag from their set-up.

The Dublin-based post-punk band was scheduled to play at the Berlin club Gretchen on Saturday, May 10, and Gebäude 9 in Cologne on Sunday, May 11, but both gigs were canceled.

"It's a humanitarian statement"

In a video posted to the band's social media accounts on Saturday, frontman James McGovern - holding a Palestinian flag - explained what happened, "from the band's point of view."

McGovern said: “We pulled into Berlin this morning, we had no idea that we weren’t allowed to fly this [Palestinian] flag here today. We found out early this afternoon.

"This is from the band’s point of view.

“We discussed it for an hour at length, what we should do. We came to the decision that we were not going to take the flag off the stage, that was a decision pretty easily made, but we discussed possible outcomes – what if they decide to cancel the show? We thought about all of you deeply, because we care about you deeply, and I mean that.

"And our decision was that we’re gonna put the flag on stage.”

McGovern said the band discussed whether to switch the Palestinian flag for a banner that said "Free Palestine," but said the venue "wouldn't allow us to do that either."

"So it’s not just about national flags, it’s about political statements," he continued.

“And to us, this isn’t just a political statement, it’s a humanitarian statement. We’ve been saying that in interviews for the whole time that we’ve been speaking about it as people.

"It’s not all about politics; it’s about people who are dying and being slaughtered every day, and that’s happening right now.

“So, for us as a band who has had this flag on their stage for countless shows now, it would be the wrong thing for us to do to take it off the stage just so that the venue is kept happy.

"We don’t agree with that."

McGovern continued: “We wish live music and art and theater could be free of political discussion and things like that, but as the world as it is, unfortunately, it just cannot be.

"That’s the way it is.

"We’ll be back to you as soon as we can. We appreciate all your support deeply, but most importantly, free Palestine.”

An important statement from the band about tonight’s Berlin show. pic.twitter.com/ntKB56dJrp

— The Murder Capital (@MurderCapital_) May 10, 2025

The Berlin club said in a social media post that they were "very sorry" that The Murder Capital's show did not take place, but said it has had a "no national flag" policy in place for "many years."

The Palestinian flag 'needs to be visible'

The following day, the Irish band's show at Gebäude 9 in Cologne was also canceled.

“We arrived into Cologne this morning, hoping that what happened in Berlin yesterday would be an isolated incident," McGovern said in another video posted to social media on Sunday.

"But tonight’s venue, Gebäude 9, has also told us that we cannot have the Palestinian flag on our stage.

"We’ve tried everything we can to find another venue for tonight’s show, but it’s been impossible.

"So we’ll be putting on an acoustic show outdoors in a park somewhere this evening.”

McGovern continued: "The Palestinian flag itself needs to be on our stage, needs to be as visible everywhere in the world as possible.

"These people are being eradicated, being starved, being bombed, and these war crimes and this genocide is being committed by the Israeli state and funded and supported by governments around the world.

"Us having a flag on our stage at a rock show is not a political statement, it is a human reaction to a horrific and unimaginable situation. But this is not history, it is happening right now, today.

"We stand forever with the people of Palestine. Free the people of Palestine. Love from us."

A statement about tonight’s show in Cologne. More details to follow. Free Palestine. pic.twitter.com/rtUjhg4hvJ

— The Murder Capital (@MurderCapital_) May 11, 2025

With their show at Gebäude 9 cancelled, The Murder Capital staged an acoustic set at Rheinpark in Cologne.

"Bring acoustic guitars," the band said, announcing the gig on social media, "everyone welcome."

The band later shared a clip of them performing their song "Words Lost Meaning."

"Free Palestine," the group said in their post alongside the clip.

Thank you for coming to the park with us Cologne. Free Palestine 🇵🇸 #freepalestine pic.twitter.com/TUnbwHrGs2

— The Murder Capital (@MurderCapital_) May 11, 2025

They also performed "Love of Country," which is included on their newest album, "Blindness." The group announced in December that 100% of the proceeds from the 7" record / digital download of the song on Bandcamp are going to Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Give the people in Gaza a simple fighting chance pic.twitter.com/eYVfAHvluK

— The Murder Capital (@MurderCapital_) May 12, 2025

The Murder Capital has shows scheduled in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France this week. They are further scheduled to play at Dublin's Iveagh Gardens on July 19.

In September and October, The Murder Capital is set to play more than a dozen shows between the US and Canada.