Christchurch, Auckland venues pull metal gig over singer's past 'white power' incident

A controversial metal artist may no longer tour New Zealand after venues in Christchurch and Auckland decided to pull the pin on his shows. 

Philip Anselmo, frontman of metal band Pantera, was due to play two New Zealand shows next week with his project Philip Anselmo and The Illegals. 

The band was booked to play a Christchurch show on March 26 then one in Auckland on March 27, but in the wake of terror attacks which left 50 dead at Christchurch mosques, venues in both cities have now publicly announced they won't be hosting the show. 

At a Hollywood concert in 2016, Anselmo was filmed pulling the white power sign and then yelling "white power" at the crowd. He has denied believing in white supremacy, saying the incident was a mistake.

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According to posters, the Christchurch show was originally scheduled for inner city venue Empire. It is understood the gig was then shifted to the Club Tavern, which has now publicly announced it will not go ahead. 

"The Philip Anselmo gig has been cancel (sic)," a Facebook post said. "We do not and will not support white supremacy or racism!"

The venue declined to comment further. 

Auckland venue Galatos also posted on Facebook, informing people of their decision to pull the pin on the gig. A spokeswoman for the venue also declined to comment further. 

After the 2016 incident, Anselmo wrote an apology letter in which he said he "deserved" the backlash he had been getting and he'd made a mistake. 

"Jokes were made backstage that transpired upon the stage, and it was ugly. It was uncalled for," he wrote. 

"And anyone who knows me and my true nature knows that I don't believe in any of that; I don't want to be part of any group.

"I'm an individual, and I am a thousand per cent apologetic to anyone that took offence to what I said because you should have taken offence to what I said."

On Monday night, tour promoter Ben Mulchin of Valhalla Touring released a statement on social media. 

"I just want to address this point right away - we would never book anyone with 'white power' or 'white power politics', or any other silly political agendas. No way. We need to make that very very clear - as music is our livelihood.

"Phil Anselmo had an indiscretion a few years back while under the influence of substances that is widely documented; by making a very hurtful remark and idiotic gesture," the statement said. 

"I honestly don't think Phil is racist but regardless he has committed a pretty terrible act in 2016," the statement said.

Mulchin said organisers were considering donating money to the families of those affected in Christchurch as they look for new venues to allow the shows to go ahead.

"On a personal note, I am not looking forward to travelling to Christchurch nor hosting a loud intense concert but I do believe in music as a healing power," he said.

"We discussed on Saturday donating all profits, and $5 per ticket to the families involved with the tragedies."