Kraftwerk fall foul of Buenos Aires synth ban

The ban on electronic music festivals in Buenos Aires, initially believed to apply only to dance music/EDM events, may lead to the cancellation of an upcoming show by Kraftwerk.

The German electronic music pioneers (pictured) – whose ages range from 47 to 70 – have fallen foul of a temporary bar on events at which “synthesisers or samplers are the primary instrument”, introduced in April after five people died at dance music festival Time Warp.

A spokesman for the city tells Argentine newspaper Clarín: “After the Time Warp ruling, Judge [Lisandro] Fastman banned all electronic music festivals.

The ban applies to all shows where “synthesisers or samplers are the primary instrument”

“So, despite the fact [promoter Move Concerts] presented their paperwork with the necessary 30 days’ notice, we can not grant permission [for the event to go ahead].”

A spokesman for Move calls the decision “surreal” and tells IQ it intends to appeal the ruling.

Kraftwerk are scheduled to play on 23 November at the 9,290-cap. Luna Park stadium. The show is 70% sold out.

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