ALBAWABA - Manifest Istanbul concert spirals into scandal, sparking investigation, bans, and censorship.
The Manifest concert in Istanbul has turned into a national controversy. Originally intended to be a night of music and freedom, the event has now transformed into a legal storm, rocking Turkey's cultural scene.
Küçükçiftlik Park hosted the +18 concert on September 6. Just three days later, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation against the band. The charges are serious: “indecent behavior” and “exhibitionism.”
Manifest Instagram profile
On September 9, six band members and one dancer were called to testify at the Istanbul Courthouse. They were released under judicial control. But the conditions shocked fans. The judge banned them from leaving the country. They must also report to the police station at regular intervals.
For many, the ban felt like more than a punishment—it felt like an attempt to silence them.
The band quickly released a statement on their official X account. “We assume full responsibility for our stage shows. We never intended to harass anyone,” they said. Their words carried both sadness and defiance. “As a band founded to unite people of all ages through dance and music, this situation has deeply saddened us.”
However, their statement failed to defuse the tension. On September 10, the Ankara 6th Criminal Court of Peace made another dramatic move. Concert footage shared on social media was blocked. The reason given: “the protection of national security and public order.”
This decision exacerbated the situation. Across Turkey, people began debating freedom of expression, artistic freedom, and censorship. Supporters of the band claim the act is an attack on art. Critics argue the performance went too far.
Manifest insists the stage is their freest space. “We strive for the highest standards in the shows we create,” they said. The group also announced they would not comment further, out of respect for the sensitivity of the situation.
The case has quickly grown beyond a single concert. Turkey now views it as a test of artistic freedom. What began as a night of music has become a fight over rights, expression, and the limits of art.
And as the ban, investigation, and censorship unfold, one question hangs in the air: Will Manifest be silenced—or will this storm make their voice louder?
