Lead singer Brian Molko verbally attacked Giorgia Meloni during a packed concert in Italy where he also addressed LGBTQ issues
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni is suing Placebo lead singer Brian Molko for defamation after the frontman called the politician “fascist, racist” to the ovations of the audience during a concert on July 10th in Turin that kicked off the band’s Italian tour.
In his remarks, the singer went as far as to call the Italian official “a piece of s**t.” The video recording of the very moment has spread widely on the internet, despite the calls of Molko not to film the performance.
During his controversial comments, Molko addressed the 10,000 fans on several topics, including calling for greater protections for non-binary and transgender people.
Turin city prosecutors opened an investigation into the British singer a week after the incident. According to Italy’s criminal code, anyone who publicly defames the government, parliament or the army can be fined up to €5,000.
The outcry after the remarks given by Molko has cast doubt on whether the rest of the tour will take place without any changes. However, the concert planned on August 1st in Italy’s Sassari took place, and local mayor Nanni Campus stated that his municipality doesn’t “condemn anyone and does not teach anyone,” adding that “if Placebo commits obscene acts, vulgarity, they will answer to the judiciary, not to the mayor or the junta.”
Georgia Meloni leads the national-conservative Brothers of Italy Party, which traces its heritage back to the Italian Socialist movement, founded by allies of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Meloni secured a victory during the 2022 elections largely due to anti-immigration policies and plans to limit the LGBTQ rights as part of her agenda. Meloni has faced huge criticism over her politics from the Western counterparts, while dismissing the accusations of leading a “fascist” party and claiming it is “false propaganda” during a recent interview with Sky TG24.
