Trevor Noah, Ane Brun Cancel Turkey Shows Amid Boycott of DBL Entertainment

Calls to boycott DBL Entertainment have prompted world-renowned artists Ane Brun and Trevor Noah to cancel their upcoming shows in Istanbul, according to recent announcements. The boycott gained steam after DBL Entertainment, a subsidiary of Dolmabahçe A.Ş., faced criticism over owner Abdülkadir Özkan’s remarks regarding Imamoğlu-related protests and a broader boycott campaign.

Concerts Under Scrutiny

The Istanbul concert by the band Muse, organized by DBL, was similarly protested. Ane Brun, alerted by her Turkish fans about DBL’s perceived alignment with alleged rights violations, said:

“301 university students who wanted to defend their democratic rights are currently in jail. The organizer of your concert in Istanbul DBL supports this violation of rights. We are boycotting, stand with us!”
Brun responded:
“I was not aware of it. I support the students. I am taking action.”

Shortly thereafter, Trevor Noah’s show in Istanbul, scheduled for April 23, was canceled. On the ticket sales site, no reason was listed for the withdrawal, but the event poster was removed from DBL Entertainment’s website.

Owner’s Controversial Remarks

Abdülkadir Özkan, the owner of DBL—which also handles concerts for Robbie Williams and Muse—referred to those calling for a boycott of Espressolab (another establishment tied to him) as “traitors.” His remarks fueled widespread social media backlash and spurred calls for performers to sever ties with the company.

Impact on Upcoming Events

While Noah and Brun decided to cancel, DBL’s other high-profile bookings remain in flux. The extent of further cancellations or changes remains to be seen, especially as Turkish fans continue urging foreign artists to stand with protestors demanding the release of students jailed in connection with Imamoğlu protests.