A Tale of Two Concerts
While artists in the UK face backlash for pro-Palestinian views, a Croatian singer linked to fascist nostalgia draws tens of thousands and political VIPs—without a word of criticism from the EU.
Last month two bands at the Glastonbury music festival in the UK, Bob Vylan and Kneecap, caused controversy when they made separate statements during their performances expressing support for the Palestinian people and criticising Israel.
The festival, which is attended by around 150,000 people, is widely broadcast on both the BBC and online. Both incidents garnered a significant reaction from the British government and sections of the media. Police have launched a criminal investigation into both acts. Bob Vylan has also had visas cancelled for an upcoming US tour and gigs pulled as a result of their actions.
The pushback also comes as Palestine Action, a protest group, has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation for sabotaging RAF planes. They now join the ranks of such infamous groups as the neo-Nazi National Action and Islamist extremists like Al-Muhajiroun.
Fast forward to last Friday, where in Croatia nationalist singer Thompson staged a concert at the Hippodrome in Zagreb. Numbers vary, but over 450,000 tickets were confirmed to have been sold, making it the largest concert in Croatian history. Thompson’s management reported even higher attendance, claiming up to 504,000 people were present. This number that would make it one of the largest music events in the world, and mean that 1 in 8 Croatians attended.
To say Thompson is a controversial figure is putting it lightly. Born Marko Perković, he rose to fame during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s with patriotic songs that quickly gained traction among nationalist circles. He performs under the name “Thompson,” after the submachine gun he carried as a soldier. Over the years, he has been repeatedly accused of glorifying the fascist Ustaša regime, which collaborated with Nazi Germany and was responsible for atrocities including the running of concentration camps during World War II. His lyrics, performances, and fans’ behaviour have drawn criticism for allegedly promoting hate speech and historical revisionism.
Among those attending the concert were the Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, several government ministers, and other high-profile figures. Images from the concert show fans wearing black Ustaša-inspired outfits, T-shirts with Nazi slogans, and many giving fascist salutes. Croatian police stated that at least 50 people were reported for hate speech and other offences during the concert.
The Croatian Interior Ministry set up a "special operations headquarters" and deployed thousands of police and emergency personnel. In totla 4,993 security guards, 6,523 police officers, 70 firefighters, and extensive medical and technical support were mobilised.
Croatia is a member of the European Union and has received substantial financial support to bolster its cultural and democratic institutions. Since joining the EU in 2013, Croatia has received over €500 million from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants to support civil society, human rights, and cultural heritage. EU support has also aimed to strengthen democratic values and media independence through initiatives like the European Commission’s Creative Europe and Horizon programmes. Yet, Thompson’s concerts, banned in multiple EU countries for promoting fascist and nationalist rhetoric, have curiously still been allowed to go ahead in Croatia, and even once in Germany, where a 2004 performance faced protests but was not officially banned.
At the time of publication, neither the EU nor any of its member states have issued public condemnations of the Zagreb concert. However, politicians from the region have criticised it. Serbia's Social Democratic Party leader Boris Tadic called the concert “a huge disgrace for Croatia and the EU,” and a setback for European values.
The enormous popularity of Thompson reflects a broader regional trend towards nationalism and historical revisionism. Revanchist sentiment is on the rise, not only in Croatia but also in neighbouring Bosnia and Serbia. In recent weeks, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik sparked outrage by claiming that the genocide that took place in Bosnia was “a lie” and once again threatening secession from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has used nationalist rhetoric to rally domestic support amid tensions over Kosovo and the ongoing domestic protests.
The failure of the European establishment to condemn Thompson’s actions and the facilitation of the event by the Croation government is a tacit endorsement of nationalist extremism and reveals a troubling double standard.
While elsewhere artists calling for human rights are met with criminal investigations, those glorifying fascist regimes play to cheering crowds, attended by heads of state.
As Europe contends with rising extremism and political instability, the silence from Brussels over events like Thompson’s concert undermines its commitment to democracy and casts further doubt on its moral authority.
Wow! Just fucking, wow! Stupendous attendance figures AND government members gleefully falling over themselves to be associated with it. Unreal