Detroit's Harpos Concert Theatre owners have issued a public apology after unknowingly booking and subsequently canceling a concert featuring bands with alleged neo-Nazi ties. The event, which took place on January 25, was shut down mid-show after venue management became aware of the situation.
Co-owners Ruzvelt Stevanovski and Krystle Dzajkovska released a detailed statement explaining they were misled by the event promoter, who withheld critical information about the performing bands. The promoter, reportedly a musician from one of the bands, requested the venue location be kept secret until the day of the show and insisted Harpos not promote the event on their social media channels.
The concert, advertised simply as a "Black Metal Festival" in the Detroit area, was halted during the second act's performance after the venue received phone calls and social media alerts about the bands' alleged white supremacist connections. Between 200-250 people were in attendance when Stevanovski personally went on stage to stop the show.
"Once we were made aware of the situation, the event was shut down immediately," the owners stated. The remaining five bands, including Grand Bilial's Key, were prevented from performing.
Detroit Police arrived at the venue in response to online threats, though Harpos' management had not contacted law enforcement themselves.
In their statement, the owners acknowledged their responsibility in not conducting thorough research before booking the event. "While the events on January 25th do not reflect our values, or that of our community, we are truly sorry," they wrote, emphasizing their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and opposing all forms of racism.
This was the first time this promoter had organized an event at Harpos, and the owners have pledged to implement stricter booking protocols moving forward.