Bauhaus icon Peter Murphy taken down by security after disastrous Swedish show

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Vocalist Peter Murphy is wrestled to the ground by Swedish security after a disastrous show in Sweden, which saw the Bauhaus icon throw glass bottles into the crowd

Peter Murphy
(Image credit: Sergione Infuso/Corbis - Getty)

Bauhaus icon Peter Murphy was wrestled to the ground by security on Wednesday night after a disastrous show in Stockholm.

He and former Bauhaus bandmate David J were playing at the Swedish city’s Nalen venue – the latest stop of their tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of Bauhaus – when the evening took an ugly twist and ended with the vocalist being held face-down on the pavement by security staff.

Swedish websites Gaffa and Aftonbladet report that the band took to the stage late and there were initially problems with the sound.

Murphy then began to complain that the crowd weren’t showing enough enthusiasm, kicked a light and then began throwing glass bottles into the crowd during Stigmata Martyr in an attempt to hit the mixing desk.

One person in the crowd was reportedly hit in the face by one of the flying bottles and was subsequently taken to hospital.

The concert was then called off by Murphy’s own technician, but the vocalist returned to the hall and began behaving “threateningly and aggressively” towards the staff, according to Nalen’s press officer Jennie Monie.

Murphy was then escorted from the building by venue security, but the disturbance continued outside.

Video footage posted by Aftonbladet shows Murphy remonstrating with someone, and shouting: “Fuck you, you fucking Swedish cunt.”

Then, when a security guard places their hand on his arm and tells him to calm down, Murphy can be seen throwing a punch and shouting: “Don’t fucking touch me!”

At this point, security bundle Murphy to the ground in a chokehold.

Venue staff decided not to involve the police and put Murphy in a taxi, although it is understood that police have received at least one complaint following the incident.

Murphy is now banned from the venue, with Monie adding: “The behaviour that he showed on and off stage is totally unacceptable. We are also very surprised that it happened. 

“We got no indications that it would be a problematic booking. We are terrified and think it's extremely sad that he did this.”

 Murphy’s next scheduled performance is tonight in Athens, Greece.

Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.