​COVID-sceptic DJ Captain Future dropped from Berlin party line-up due to backlash

A psytrance DJ based in Berlin, Captain Future, has been dropped from Mystic Rose’s latest party line-up due to backlash faced by both the promoters and venue, KitKatClub.

Captain Future is an outspoken DJ who has been spotlighted for controversial opinions throughout the pandemic, mostly due to his sceptical take on COVID-19.

The forthcoming party taking place at KitKatClub is set to be hosted by club promoters Mystic Rose, taking place on June 17. Captain Future was subsequently dropped from the line-up following backlash after his booking.

Taking to Facebook on Sunday, Mystic Rose promoter Ananto expressed his upset by the backlash: “Booking Captain Future was MY idea, not the KitKatClub ! I booked him as a DJ, not a political activist. Because I fucking like him as a DJ,” he said.

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“Why y’all fighting the KitKatClub - And on Kirsten? She didn't even know I booked him! In the last 27 years, Kirsten has not instructed me a single time who to book or who not to book.

“If you have an issue with my booking please come to me - not Kirsten or the club,” he said, referring to KitKatClub’s co-founder, Kristen Kruger, who also reportedly faced online hate for the booking.

Antano confirmed Captain Future’s removal from the line-up in response to the backlash, adding that he doesn’t want to “hurt the club any further”.

“I was unaware that his booking would trigger such a wave of hate and negativity,” he said. “Call me naive or blue-eyed.... but I was shocked to the bone what I had to read here, especially on the KitKatClub Official Page.”

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Captain Future, AKA Michael Bründel, is known for his part in the Querdenker movement, a politically-charged group protesting COVID rules and restrictions.

Antano went on to defend Captain Future in the post, adding: “Captain Future didn’t deserve this either. I've known him as an open-minded and inspired person. In my eyes, he is a freak, an anarchist, with more leftist ideas.

“He is Agent Provocateur, an Enfant Terrible of the Berlin scene. He is using means of protest that may be found questionable. And maybe he was too stupid or naive to be distracted by nazis or AFDlern.”

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter