Controversial singer Xavier Naidoo launched his 'Bei meiner Seele' tour with a sold-out concert at Cologne's Lanxess-Arena. Despite ongoing debates over his past controversial statements, thousands of fans celebrated the 54-year-old. Critics continue to demand cancellations of his performances.
Xavier Naidoo, once a star in the German soul scene, performed his first major concert in six years at the Lanxess-Arena in Cologne on December 16. The venue was filled with 16,000 attendees. The 54-year-old effusively thanked his fans, shouting: 'Because of you, I'm here!' He jokingly called himself an early retiree.
Naidoo's career has been overshadowed by controversies in recent years. He faced accusations of antisemitism and racism, performed with Reichsbürger members, spread QAnon theories, and made polarizing statements about the Covid pandemic. In 2020, RTL removed him from the 'Deutschland sucht den Superstar' jury. Planned concerts often became political issues amid growing opposition.
In 2022, Naidoo apologized in a video for his extreme positions. He said he had been 'blinded' by conspiracy narratives and distanced himself from nationalism, racism, homophobia, and antisemitism. Critics found the statement too vague.
The over two-hour concert featured a best-of his hits, including 'Sie sieht mich nicht', 'Dieser Weg', and 'Und wenn ein Lied' with the Söhne Mannheims. Naidoo spoke little, letting the music speak, and referenced the past only indirectly, such as mentions of family time. During 'Wo willst du hin?', the audience sang along, which he called a dream.
The comeback announcement sparked criticism. The Werteinitiative demanded cancellation, and Cologne's synagogue community warned against legitimizing antisemitism amid rising incidents. Promoter Marek Lieberberg emphasized Naidoo's sincere distancing: 'His clear public commitment proves the seriousness.'
Despite ongoing Volksverhetzung proceedings at Mannheim Regional Court over antisemitic Telegram content, the tour continues in January to Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Naidoo's hometown Mannheim. At the end, he said: 'Then I'll be back in properly.'
