Malte Ebert Supports Tessa and Cancels Concert with The Antonelli Orchestra
In the aftermath of the DR documentary “Sexism in the Music Industry,” singer Malte Ebert (formerly known as Gulddreng) has decided to cancel his performance at a large company Christmas party on December 6, 2024, where he was scheduled to sing with The Antonelli Orchestra. This decision comes after rapper Tessa also canceled her concerts with the band in response to the revelations in the documentary. Supports Colleagues’ Strong Expression Malte Ebert states that he strongly condemns the behavior described in the documentary and admires his colleagues for speaking out about their experiences. “I am tired of hearing ‘you can’t say anything anymore’, because it clearly indicates that one does not know where the line between a compliment and an offensive comment lies. I strongly distance myself from the behavior described in the documentary and fully support my colleagues,” Malte Ebert wrote to DR.
Recognizable Experiences from ‘Toppen af Poppen’ Malte Ebert was one of the participants in ‘Toppen af Poppen’ in 2021, the season that the documentary focuses on. In the documentary, several female musicians, including Katinka Bjerregaard and Mathilde Falch, talk about their experiences with sexist comments from a member of The Antonelli Orchestra during the recordings. Ebert confirms that these incidents were discussed internally among the participants and the production team, with an agreement to distance themselves from them.
A Wider Problem in the Music Industry Malte Ebert emphasizes that the documentary is an eye-opener for the entire music industry, which needs to take a critical look at itself and its culture. “In general, as an industry, we need to look at ourselves and each other in the eye. We need to listen and understand that there is a fundamental problem in the tone and behavior that has been normalized for decades,” he writes.
An Industry in Change Malte Ebert hopes that this documentary will lead to lasting changes in the music industry. He urges listening to those who have experienced sexist and boundary-crossing behavior, and actively speaking out against such actions. “Therefore, it is more important than ever that we listen and understand the importance of a documentary like this. And that each of us looks inward and sees how we can make our industry a safe place to be with a good working environment,” he says.
The Antonelli Orchestra has responded to the criticism with an unconditional apology, but they emphasize that some of the accounts are not recognized. Nevertheless, they acknowledge the need to reflect on and change their behavior. Malte Ebert’s decision to cancel the concert and his support for his colleagues demonstrate a strong solidarity in the music industry, which is facing necessary changes to create a more respectful and safe environment for all artists.