Concert halted over missing licence
German DJ Stella Bossi's techno music concert in Mumbai was stopped mid-performance after Maharashtra Excise officials found that the organisers had not obtained the mandatory permission for the venue. The incident occurred at AntiSocial club in Lower Parel, where the event had been shifted after permission was denied for the originally planned Cruise Terminal location. According to officials, the organisers failed to obtain a one-day club licence required for the new venue, prompting the excise department to intervene.
Excise superintendent Sudhir Pokale, as reported by The Times of India, said they acted on a tip-off from the police and stopped the party around 8 pm, three hours after it began. The event, part of the Steelworks Festival, also featured Junkie Kids and Lee Ann Roberts.
Mistaken identity sparks online backlash
Bossi, who has 1.1 million Instagram followers, posted a video of the incident with the caption: “POV. You’re 50 minutes into your set in Mumbai and the police finally found the OFF button. Sorry guys we tried everything. Coming back soon.” The footage showed an official in khaki uniform walking on stage and gesturing for her to stop, prompting boos from the crowd.
Angry spectators mistook the excise officials for police personnel due to their khaki uniforms, leading to criticism of Mumbai Police online. However, a senior police officer clarified that no one from the police department visited the site, as reported by The Times of India. Sources said the khaki personnel in the viral video were from the excise department. India Today also reported that officials clarified the action was taken by excise officials, not the police.
Excise department explains action
The excise department, which halted the concert, told The Times of India that a “liquor licence is no licence to throw a party.” Officials said the organisers, who had been denied permission to hold the event at the Cruise Terminal in Ballard Estate, had shifted to AntiSocial, a permit room where liquor can be served under the establishment's existing licence. However, this did not authorise the event without a one-day club licence. India Today similarly reported that the organisers failed to obtain the mandatory one-day club licence for the new location.
A one-day club licence is required for safety checks, including floor area, emergency exits, and fire safety, as reported by The Times of India.
Public reaction and context
One Instagram user mocked how “licenced indoor shows are cancelled while loud music is openly allowed on street festivals,” as reported by The Times of India. The incident has sparked discussions about venue licensing and event regulations in Mumbai.
Stella Bossi is a Berlin-born techno artist known for her high-energy sets and founder of the record label 'The Beat Must F**k'. She rose to prominence through viral videos of Berlin's rave culture, as reported by India Today.
The day of the concert was reported as Friday by The Times of India, while India Today reported it as Sunday. The reason for this discrepancy was not clarified in either report.