“The legal proceedings against the member of Rammstein have been abandoned,” defended Ben Barbaud at Parisianassuring that his festival “is neither a den of machos nor a dangerous place for women”.
Korn, Electric Callboy, Ultra Vomit, Muse… The 2025 edition of Hellfest, the French extreme music festival, will welcome the elite of hard rock, punk and metal for its 18the edition. Monday December 9, in an interview given to Parisian festival boss Ben Barbaud has announced the main headliners of the event which will be held from June 19 to 22. In total, 180 groups are expected on six different stages. But the presence of certain names gives rise to debate.
Among them, Till Lindemann, from the German group Rammstein. The singer was accused in May 2023 by an Irish fan of sexual assault after a concert in Lithuania. Then attempted sexual assaults by other women on social networks. He was acquitted in August 2023 by the German prosecutor’s office, which considered that it could not « establish that Till Lindemann had non-consensual sexual relations with women ». « I am not a judge, but a festival director and programmerdefended Ben Barbaud, then questioned by The Parisian on his decision. The legal proceedings against him were dropped […]due to lack of evidence. »
35% women at Hellfest
The director says to choose « the artists people want to see ». Without wanting to provoke the activists. For example, he refused to invite Marilyn Manson, accused of rape and harassment by several women. « His situation is much murkier for programming him. Other festivals think so too »assure Ben Barbaud.
« Hellfest is neither a macho den nor a dangerous place for women”
Ben Barbaud
The director of Hellfest still risks attracting the wrath of feminists. This was already the case in 2023 with the presence on stage of artists convicted of sexist and sexual violence, like Tommy Lee, drummer of Mötley Crüe, sentenced in 1998 to six months in prison for hitting his wife, Pamela Anderson. « Hellfest is neither a macho den nor a dangerous place for womenreassures Ben Barbaud. They are also taking up more and more space. » The festival director reveals that the event brings together more and more spectators every year: « Ten years ago, they represented 10 % of the public, today, there are 35 % ».
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Muse « offered on a platter »
The presence of the British rock group Muse, too close « English pop » for many metalheads, is also debated. « I created this festival out of love for punk, hardcore and initially for purists. But today, I prefer to shock them than to always do the same artists again »justifies Ben Barbaud. The founder of Hellfest says he « matured » and become « less sectarian ». « They were given to me [Muse] on a tray, […] I accepted because I was missing a headliner on Friday and the Hellfest audience is more and more open »he adds.
