The provocatively-titled “No More Safe Space Tour” hit snag when the known metal bad boy Niklas Kvarforth, frontman of Swedish progressive black metal band Shining exhibited a vast amount of inappropriate behavior during a show at The Shredder in Boise, Idaho (a show that was not on the original tour poster [see below]). Kvarforth was accused of drugging a person’s drink, groping women, threatening to stab people, threatening an audience member with rape, slapping an audience member, using racist and homophobic slurs during their set and seig heiling: all in one night.
Kvarforth has been known for his controversial comments after making homophobic and violent comments in an interview with Invisible Oranges last September. One quote from Kvarforth was, “It’s really hard to talk with a teenager about killing people, stabbing people, or whatever, until the day I actually do it. And then maybe it’s not so cool anymore. And that’s what Shining’s about, to manipulate people into doing it.”
While on the “No More Safe Space Tour,” along with Canadian war metal band Revenge and US sludge band Wolvhammer, Kvarforth has now jeopardized the continuance of the entire tour. The venue called Tonic Lounge in Portland, Oregon the artists were supposed to perform at tonight has cancelled the performance all together. A quote from the letter read, “We regret having not researched this band more before approving their show. After booking them, it was brought to our attention that Shining’s singer has done and said many things that could be considered offensive, dangerous, or destructive.”
The Shredder applauded Tonic Lounge for the disallowing the performance and discouraging that kind of offensive behavior at their venue. The Shredder commented: “Big ups to Chris and the Tonic Lounge in Portland for making a choice decision! No need to put up with bigotry and childish bullshit. Especially from an individual that only preys on the weaker people in attendance.”
With venues dropping the performances from “No More Safe Space Tour,” the display that Kvarforth put on at The Shredder may be his last.
No More Safe Space 2017 Tour Dates
05/05 – Baltimore, MD – Sparta Inn
05/06 – Trenton, NJ – Championship Bar
05/08 – Montreal, QC – Foufounes Electriques
05/09 – Toronto, ON – Garrison
05/10 – Detroit, MI – Harpo’s
05/11 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s
05/12 – Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
05/15 – Vancouver, BC – Red Room
05/16 – Seattle, WA – Studio Seven05/17 – Portland, OR – Tonic Lounge
05/18 – Oakland, CA Metro Opera House
05/19 – Las Vegas, NV – Adrenaline
05/20 – Los Angeles, CA – Complex
05/21 – Phoenix, AZ – Joe’s Grotto
05/23 – Austin, TX – Grizzly Hall
05/24 – Fort Worth, TX – Rail Club
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