Down pull out of Download Festival in wake of Phil Anselmo racism scandal
They're not playing any European shows
Down have cancelled their appearance at Download Festival this June in the wake of the Phil Anselmo racism scandal.
Yesterday the former Pantera singer posted an open letter to Hellfest promoter Ben Barbaud explaining that due to his abhorrent racist actions at Dimebash earlier this year he doesn’t believe he should “do ANY Eruo festivals this year.”
Anselmo hit the headlines on 22nd January when he made a Nazi salute and shouted “white power” to the crowd at the Dimebash show in Hollywood.
Following Anselmo’s letter to Hellfest, Download organisers confirmed on Twitter that Down have axed their appearance at Donington.
Down had been due to perform The Lemmy Stage on Saturday 11th June alongside Deftones, Megadeth and headliners Black Sabbath.
You can read Anselmo’s full letterto Hellfest here:
First, and foremost, there is NO WAY I can possibly thank you enough for “fighting the good fight” for me, and ALL of my bands, namely Down in this instance. Your love & backbone will never be forgotten, and from this point on through the rest of my fighting life, I owe you every ounce of praise! My AWFUL mistake has taken a toll on my reputation, and justly so! However I must point out, you damned-well KNOW ME better than this drunken incident could ever describe. Hellfest is my heart!!! And my embarrassment is tremendous, because I only have LOVE for people all over this skirmishing earth. *So my brother, it f**ing rips my heart into further pieces to let you know, I don’t think I should do ANY Euro festivals this year. So PLEASE I BEG YOU, give me this time to get my brain clear, and to come back (if you will have me back) next year my brother, I implore you! Plus, the re-emergence of the knee injuries have been plaguing me of late as well, so I must address this too, through physical rehabilitation & rest. Knowing my character, when I put my mind to something THIS DIRE, I come back 100-times better, and THAT’S what the Mighty Hellfest deserves!!! My love for you & the rest of the gang that makes Hellfest THE TOPS, goes on and on and on…
Much love & respect-
Philip H. Anselmo (and the H. stands for HEALING)