There’s a good chance that one of your favourite musicians has recently been cancelled. Just think Michael Jackson, R. Kelly or even Romeo Elvis and Bart Peeters. Cancel culture is about the boycotting of famous figures due to a wrong act or statement, but not everyone believes in the existence of the phenomenon. Not even in the music world. 

The public controversy surrounding musicians often causes their streaming figures – and in some cases even their popularity – to skyrocket. What’s more, it is often suggested in the music world that musicians be seen separately to their art. Can we then actually speak of a cancel culture? What responsibility do the music compilers and concert organisers actually bear? And do we, as fans and listeners, also have a personal responsibility in this matter?  

AB an KU Leuven investigate whether cancel culture al really is a thing or not and how the music world deals with it during an animated discussion in the AB Club on Monday 29 November. The speakers will be announced shortly. Participation in the AB x KU Leuven Talk: ‘Bestaat cancel culture? Hoe gaat de muziekwereld ermee om?’ is free of charge, but you do have to register to get hold of a spot. Do that here.