Limp Bizkit lead singer Fred Durst has been banned from Estonia, resulting in the band's upcoming show being cancelled. The band was set to play the Unibet Arena in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia. When the concert was first announced, backlash quickly followed as footage and screenshots of Durst's pro-Putin and pro-Russia sentiments resurfaced.
In the years following Durst's 2012 marriage to Russian-born Crimean makeup artist Kseniya Beryazina, the nu metal frontman became increasingly enamored with Russia and the Crimea region in particular. It was during this time, in 2014, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine.
Never one to shy away from controversy, Durst made his allegiances known at the time. Immediately after the annexation, Durst held up a sign at a concert that read, in Russian, "Crimea=Russia," with "Welcome" written down the side. In response, Ukraine banned Limp Bizkit for five years. At one point, Durst floated the possibility of spending half a year in Crimea working on film and TV content. In a since-deleted tweet Durst explained "there are great people everywhere. I have met many Russians, in Russia, that are excited to learn more about America." Durst even went so far as to call Vladimir Putin a "great guy with clear moral principles." Fans may even recall the (intentionally?) upsetting use of deepfake technology to graft Putin's face onto Durst's body for the "Out Of Style" music video.
After his divorce from Beryazina in 2019, Durst, understandably, became less vocally pro-Russia. Still, just last year, Durst posted the following on the Russian social media website VKontakte:
"I miss you all. Sending everyone positive vibes and good energy. I am currently on my Loserville Tour with Bones in the USA. I wanted to reach out and let you know I was thinking of you. Stay positive and take care of yourself! Hope to see you soon. Sincerely, Fred."
It's worth noting this post was his first on VKontakte, the Russian Facebook alternative, since his divorce. By all accounts, the people of Russia still hold a special place in the Chocolate Starfish's heart.
But Estonia, a country with its own history of grievances and disputes with Russia, has long stood in support of Ukraine. Durst's past comments were quickly dredged up after the concert was announced. According to ERR, Estonia's public broadcaster, the concert, originally set for May 31st, 2026, was postponed in hopes of finding a later date. Soon, Baltic Live Agency, the show's promoter, canceled the concert all together. Baltic Live Agency's official statement:
"We inform you that due to circumstances beyond the organizer’s control, the Limp Bizkit concert planned for May 31, 2026, is canceled. Our apologies!"
While that's the official reasoning for the show's cancelation, Margus Tsahkna, Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, had this to say:
"My position is clear, and I will repeat it: Russia is the aggressor, and Crimea is occupied by Russia. Those who justify Russia’s aggression and the occupation of a neighboring country are not welcome in Estonia. They have no place on Estonian stages and should not be earning income here."
A spokesperson for Estonia's Ministry of Culture contacted concert organizers, saying, "It is unacceptable for people to perform in Estonia who support a state whose president is the subject of an international arrest warrant."
For the nu metal juggernauts, 2025 has proved to be a year of great highs and devastating lows as recent months have seen the release of new music, the band's first #1 hit in 25 years, and "Break Stuff" joining the Spotify Billions Club, as well as the tragic loss of their bassist, Sam Rivers.
The Gringo Papi leg of their Loserville Tour kicks off at the end of the month.
Loserville: Gringo Papi Tour 2025
11/29 Mexico City, MX @ Explanada del Estadio Banorte
12/02 Alajuela, CR @ Parque Viva
12/05 Bogota, CO @ Estadio El Campín
12/09 San Miguel, PE @ Multiespacio Costa 21
12/13 Santiago, CL @ Estadio Monumental
12/16 Buenos Aires, AR @ Parque Sarmiento
12/20 São Paulo, BR @ Allianz Parque
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