The Berlin indie-pop band Von Wegen Lisbeth views political statements by musicians as ambivalent. Bassist Julian Hölting stresses that such voices are needed but only reach their own bubble. Singer Matthias Rohde calls for more space to admit ignorance.
Members of the Berlin indie-pop band Von Wegen Lisbeth discuss their stance on political positioning in the music scene in an interview with the news portal watson. Bassist Julian Hölting describes it as ambivalent: "On one hand, I feel that loud voices from a non-right-wing camp are needed right now and that we should do much more of it," Hölting said. He adds, however: "On the other hand, I'm also tired of it because it doesn't lead to any real discussion. You're just hammering the same nail again."
Hölting emphasizes that bands like theirs wouldn't reach AfD voters: "For example, we won't reach any more AfD voters; a band shouldn't kid itself about that. That's why I often wonder how much sense it makes at all and whether it's more about one's own conscience." This highlights frustration over the limitation of such statements to their own bubble.
Frontman Matthias Rohde shares similar concerns about the expectation of quick, clear opinions: "I'm annoyed by this feeling that you have to have a crystal-clear opinion on everything and blast it out within two seconds." He calls for more openness to uncertainty: "It's about admitting sometimes that you have no idea. There's very little room for that in today's world because everything has to work faster and faster."
These reflections illustrate the challenges musicians face in a polarized political landscape, without naming specific actions by the band.
