New Zealand Promoters Cancel Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals Anselmo Shows

Promoters in Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand have announced that they have decided to cancel the scheduled concerts of former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo and his project, Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, accusing the singer of racism. Anselmo and his band are scheduled to to travel to Australia this week, which would include a headlining slot at Slayfest in Perth, but the neighbouring country of New Zealand, which was shaken by a horrific terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, which claimed the lives of fifty people, has seemingly closed it's doors to the band.

The cancellation is partly a reaction to these attacks, where a white supremacist Australian man, who has continued to make racist gestures during his court hearing, was responsible for the killings. Anselmo himself has been the subject of racist accusations, most recently in 2016 where he shouted "White power!" in front of a crowd in Hollywood, California, an action he has since apologised for. Club Tavern, the venue in Christchurch which was supposed to hold the Illegals concert, stated:

The Philip Anselmo gig has been cancel (sic)," a Facebook post said. "We do not and will not support white supremacy or racism!"

The venue declined to comment further.

Auckland venue Galatos also posted on Facebook, informing people of their decision to pull the pin on the gig. A spokeswoman for the venue also declined to comment further.