Lady Gaga’s Asian tour has been rife with problems. Scores of Christian youths in the Philippines chanted ‘Stop the Lady Gaga concerts’ at a rally calling for the pop diva’s shows here to be cancelled despite assurances from authorities that they won’t allow nudity and lewd acts. Sold-out crowds and angry protests followed Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ Asian tour. Fans younger than 18 were banned from the Seoul concerts over complaints her lyrics and costumes were too sexually provocative, and she was denied a concert permit in Indonesia by police under pressure from Islamic hard-liners. About 70 members of a youth group rallied in front of the Pasay City Hall in metropolitan Manila. They said they were offended by Lady Gaga’s music and videos, in particular her song ‘Judas’, which they say mocks Jesus Christ. Lady Gaga has secured papers for two concerts Monday and Tuesday, but Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto said he told organisers to ensure that “they follow the rules and regulations stipulated in the concert permit earlier provided by the city government.” “Although we respect artistic and musical expressions, I won’t allow anyone or any group to provide acts which may be questionable in a way at any venue under my jurisdiction,” he said in a statement. “We reminded the producers of Lady Gaga’s concert that the show and the event as a whole shall not exhibit any nudity or lewd conduct which may be offensive to morals and good customs.” Protest leader and former Philippine Congressman Benny Abante says his group plans to file a case against Lady Gaga and concert organisers if she sings ‘Judas’ at her Manila gigs.
Is Lady Gaga’s tour falling apart? ‘Born This Way Ball’ invites more protests
