Since January, bands have cut ties with concert booker and First Row Talent owner John Finberg. However, more bands have come forward to no longer work with him after MetalSucks reported an in-depth article revealing an extensive list of accusations ranging from sexual assault to bullying and more. One of these allegations includes bullying Tengger Cavalry’s Nature Ganganbaigal, where he emailed Nature in July 2018, suggesting he should kill himself. Less than one year later, the multi-talented artist who was well-loved and respected in the metal community took his own life in June 2019. He was 29-years old. Other alleged bullying attacks involved wishing rape upon someone, threatening to blacklist The Agonist, and more. Today (29th), bands including Amorphis, Delain, Battle Beast, Swallow The Sun, and more have issued statements announcing they will no longer work with Finberg and First Row Talent. Finberg has-yet-to-respond to these accusations. We expect to see more bands dropping from working with him as this story develops.
“Nightwish have ceased to employ Mr Finberg and have severed all contact with him and his company.”
NIGHTWISH & TILL DAWN THEY COUNT LTD”
“Amorphis does not accept any form of bullying, harassment or racism. Due to current allegations against First Row Talent Agency and John Finberg, effective immediately – John Finberg does not represent Amorphis in the United States, Canada or any other territory.
—AMORPHIS”
“Delain ceased to employ John Finberg and his company during their last USA tour in 2019. First Row talent and John Finberg are no longer booking Delain in North America, Canada or any other territory. Delain does not accept any form of harassment, bullying, sexism or racism.
LOVE
Delain”
“We strongly condemn all forms of harassment, bullying and abuse.
Sonata Arctica has ceased to collaborate with John Finberg and his company since Jan 1st 2020.
All the best,
Sonata Arctica”
“AMARANTHE does not accept harassing, racism or sexism. We have never done a tour under the First Row Talent/John Finberg banner so far, and the North America tour that was in the pipeline will now be done together with a different company.”
“I am sharing this because it is unacceptable that a monster like this is allowed to continue to book in our industry. I am asking the bands on his roster to DO THE RIGHT THING. KAMELOT Nightwish Angra Amaranthe Symphony X Iced Earth Sabaton HammerFall Battle Beast Primal Fear Firewind Dark Tranquillity Nervosa Delain Sonata Arctica Omnium Gatherum Spread Eagle Leaves’ Eyes Insomnium Amorphis Obscura
Jesus there are so many… This makes me so sad… There are plenty of agencies in North America! Choose someone else!!!
Continental Concerts & Management GmbH TKO UK Artery Global Intromental Creative Artists Agency Paradigm Talent Agency and of course the formidable Live Nation Concerts.
“
“First Row Talent is no longer booking Battle Beast in North America or anywhere in the world.
Abuse, racism and sexism have no place in music business nor anywhere else for that matter.
Love,
BATTLE BEAST”
“From this day on First Row Talent Agency does not represent Swallow the Sun in North America. We will inform you later about our upcoming tour.”
Read the full story on MetalSucks.
