Within Temptation, the Dutch symphonic metal band, recently revealed a substantial loss of social media followers tied to their Instagram post celebrating Pride. Frontwoman Sharon den Adel spoke candidly about the incident during a recent interview with Germany's Radio Bob!, noting that the band had reached approximately 420,000 followers but saw a drop of 20,000 shortly after their Pride-related announcement.
Den Adel expressed her surprise at the reaction, saying, "I was a bit shocked of our own audience in a way," highlighting how the message of equality seemed to clash with some followers' views. She articulated her disappointment that so many were offended by their stance on equality. Despite the backlash, she stated, "I don't care about losing those [followers], but it was a shock to me."
The band has been vocal about political issues in the past, addressing various social topics through their music, including the war in Ukraine and the circumstances surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini. Den Adel reiterated the role of musicians as storytellers, asserting that it’s essential to address and engage with current events through their art.
As of now, Within Temptation is on their 2024 'Bleed Out' tour across Europe and the UK, with their next performance scheduled for September 21 at the Poppodium 13 in Tilburg, Netherlands. Fans can check this link for a list of tour dates and remaining ticket availability.
For a more detailed account of the band's comments and the implications of their actions, visit NME's coverage of the situation here.