Beatsteaks receive special crown for commitment against the right

The Berlin band Beatsteaks will be awarded the special "1Live-Krone" prize this year for their campaigning against the right. With a series of concerts in autonomous youth centers in eastern Germany in spring 2024, the musicians sent a clear signal against growing populism and right-wing extremism and at the same time strengthened local youth culture, according to WDR and its youth radio station 1Live.

The punk rock band visited twelve autonomous youth centers in eastern Germany in the spring - which, according to WDR, was also at locations that symbolize a counter-movement in regions where right-wing motivated crimes have recently increased. The tour was met with headwinds in many places, sometimes even with threats of physical violence from right-wing groups aimed at intimidating the visitors.

The series of concerts in youth centers in cities such as Görlitz, Bautzen, Erfurt and Halberstadt also highlighted the importance of the facilities as potential points of contact for local people.

Beatsteaks: "Racism seems to be socially acceptable again in Germany"

Despite the challenges, the band believes that their local concerts will awaken new hope for a tolerant and supportive community: "We see this award as an invitation to imitate: Come together!", the Beatsteaks announced. The appreciation shown to them through the award is "not a matter of course at a time when right-wing extremist agitation and racism seem to be acceptable again in Germany".

The "1Live-Krone" music prize will be awarded for the 25th time this year - the big awards party will take place on December 5 at the Lokschuppen in Bielefeld. Until then, the public can vote for their favorite music acts in seven voting categories. The special prize will also be awarded. With this, the editorial team honors a special achievement by artists that goes beyond the musical.