LGBT+ singers & allies among those performing in Budapest
Chappell Roan, Emeli Sandé & Alanis Morisette
London – 27 March 2025
LGBT+ music stars Chappell Roan, Emeli Sandé and Alanis Morisette are being urged to pull out of concerts in Hungary to show their opposition to the country’s ban on the annual Pride march, scheduled for 28 June in Budapest.
All three singers have been written to this week by veteran LGBT+ campaigner Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation. His letter urges:
“We ask you to stand with Hungary’s LGBT+ people by cancelling your performance. If this is not possible, when you are in Hungary we ask you to hold a press conference where you condemn the Pride ban and express support for the LGBT+ community – and do the same on stage when you perform.”
READ COPY OF THE LETTER SENT TO EMELI SANDÉ HERE – Similar letters sent to Chappell Roan and Alanais Morisette
Commenting today on his appeal to these artists, Mr Tatchell said:
“By performing without criticising the denial of free speech and the right to protest, these artists would be giving comfort to a tyrannical homophobic regime.
“Hungary has outlawed this year’s Pride march on 28 June and plans to use facial recognition technology to identify, arrest and fine anyone who participates. The Pride ban follows a wider rollback of LGBT+ rights, including bans on LGBT+ education in schools, trans rights and the so-called ‘promotion’ of homosexuality.
“These performers are beloved LGBT+ icons. Their visibility gives hope. That’s why it’s vital they speak out or pull out. I’m urging them: don’t carry on with business as usual.
“This is not about boycotting the Hungarian people—it’s about challenging a homophobic regime that uses culture to sanitise and pinkwash its repression.
“Stars like Emeli, Alanis and Chappell have huge influence. Their voices can help bring global attention to Hungary’s repression and give courage to LGBTs who are being banned from marching,” said Mr Tatchell.
Full details below of music and film stars performing in Hungary this year: names, month and venue
Some of the world’s top singers and film stars are performing in Hungary this year. They include leading LGBT+ celebrities and allies.
Singers with concerts in Hungary include LGBT+ stars: Chappell Roan, Emeli Sande and Alanis Morisette. Plus inumerable allies of the LGBT+ community like Katy Perry, Charli XCX and Nelly Furtado.
Pro-LGBT+ movie stars who will film in Hungary this year include: Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, Woody Harrelson, Olivia Colman, Dev Patel, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya and Florence Pugh.
NOTES:
CONCERTS
Calendar of the main ARTISTS coming to Budapest & the MONTH and VENUE where they are performing
March
Aron 2025.01.03.
Alan Walker @Budapest Aréna
April
Emeli Sandé @Budapest Aréna
May
Iron Maiden @Budapest Aréna
Scooter @Budapest Park
Ludovico Einaudi @MVM Dome
June
Avenged Sevenfold @Budapest Park
Fontaines D.C. @Barba Negra
Santana @MVM Dome
Imagine Dragons @Puskás Aréna
Parov Stelar @SopronFest
July
Alanis Morisette @Budapest Park
Lionel Ritchie @MVM Dome
Guns n’ Roses @Puskás Aréna
Joe Bonamassa, Train, Clean Bandit @VeszprémFest
Jason Derülo, The Chainsmokers @Campus
August
Gojira @Barba Negra
Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Armin van Buuren, Boris Brejcha, Justice, Nelly Furtado, Papa Roach @Sziget
ZAZ, Lukas Graham @Jazzpiknik
Lost Frequencies, Becky Hill @SZIN
September
Robbie Williams @MVM Dome
October
Katy Perry @MVM Dome
The Offspring @MVM Dome
Marcus Miller @Erkel Színház
November
Parkway Drive @MVM Dome
Hans Zimmer @MVM Dome
André Rieu (dupla) @MVM Dome
December
Clutch @Barba Negra
Till Lindemann @MVM Dome
FILM
Actors filming in Hungary this year
The Hungarian government extended its film production incentive for an additional six years in early 2025, maintaining a 30% tax rebate that has been instrumental in drawing international movie projects to the country. Here is an article about investment in a new film studio the government has built to attract film production to the country. https://www.filmneweurope.com/news/hungary-news/item/126561-hungarian-pm-viktor-orban-opens-nfi-new-film-studio-complex-in-fot
Several notable foreign film companies have chosen Hungary as a filming location:
• A24: The American independent entertainment company is set to begin filming “The Entertainment System Is Down,” directed by Ruben Östlund and starring Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, Woody Harrelson, Daniel Brühl, and Harris Dickinson, in Hungary during the first quarter of 2025.
• South of the River Pictures in collaboration with Votiv Films, Topic Studios, Tango Entertainment, and Black Bear International. Wicker by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson will be shot in Hungary in the autumn of 2025 with Olivia Colman and Dev Patel in the main roles
• Legendary Entertainment. Dune Messiah: The cast will once again feature Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya, joined by Florence Pugh and Anya Taylor-Joy. Villeneuve will helm the project as writer and director, with Linus Sandberg serving as director of photography.
• Focus Features: This American film production and distribution company acquired international distribution rights to “The Brutalist,” further highlighting Hungary’s appeal to major foreign film entities. Andrew Lauren Productions and Yellow Bear: These US-based companies co-produced “The Brutalist,” film, starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, was shot primarily in Budapest, utilizing the city’s historical architecture to depict 1950s America.