Norwegian singer-songwriter Ane Brun announced on Tuesday that she has cancelled her İstanbul concert scheduled for October, citing the current political climate in Turkey. The decision follows growing calls on social media for artists to boycott DBL Entertainment, the event’s organiser, over its owner’s comments about recent protests.
Brun confirmed the cancellation in a statement posted on Instagram, saying, “I was so looking forward to playing for you, my Turkish fans, but unfortunately, this is not the right time.” She expressed her gratitude for the support she has received from Turkish audiences over the years and said she hoped to return in the future.
I have decided not to play in Istanbul this October.
I was so looking forward to playing for you, but unfortunately, this is not the right time.
I dream of playing for you as soon as possible.
I stand by you. In Peace and Love❤️ pic.twitter.com/4Zi3NQkFCv— Ane Brun (@anebrun) April 1, 2025
The boycott campaign against DBL Entertainment, a subsidiary of Dolmabahçe AŞ, intensified after its owner, Abdülkadir Özkan, labelled recent protests as “treason”. The protests erupted following the arrest of 51 opposition figures, including İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, triggering nationwide demonstrations and mass detentions, including over 300 university students.
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The campaign has led to calls for international artists, including British rock band Muse and comedian Trevor Noah, to cancel their performances in Turkey. Social media users urged artists to show solidarity by refusing to work with DBL Entertainment. Reports suggest that Noah’s Istanbul show has already been cancelled, though no official reason has been given.
Turkish singer Kalben joined the boycott appeal, addressing Muse directly on X: “I have been listening to your music for more than 20 years and you have inspired my music, my life in so many ways. I, all my friends and people I have worked with throughout my career, are unable to attend your concert in Istanbul because the organiser is on the boycott list of the pro-democracy movement. Please make a move in the direction of support and solidarity.”
While Brun did not explicitly mention the boycott in her statement, her decision aligns with the growing international backlash against DBL Entertainment. It remains unclear whether other artists will follow suit as pressure mounts on performers scheduled to appear in Turkey.
