Barbara Butch vows to play on after Grenoble concert stormed by LFI-linked militants, antisemitism claims fly

Concert interrupted by militants

On Saturday evening, Barbara Butch's set at the Cabaret Frappé festival in Grenoble was halted around 10:20 p.m. when approximately 150 militants carrying banners, whistling and insulting her forced her off stage. The protesters were responding to a boycott call issued since May by the Isère branch of La France Insoumise (LFI). Butch, 45, was exfiltrated from the venue after bottles were thrown, putting her in what she described as "physical danger". A festival programming official told AFP that the militants were directly in front of the stage.

I saw hatred in the eyes, right in front of me.

The justice system opened an inquiry on Tuesday for "concerted obstruction of freedoms".

Accusations of antisemitism

The militants targeted Butch over her 2025 attendance at an event at the French ambassador's residence in Israel and her signature on a tribune supporting the Yadan bill, a contested legislative proposal to combat new forms of antisemitism that has since been withdrawn. Butch told BFMTV that the tracts distributed during the protest were "purely antisemitic", rejecting what she called an "amalgam" between Jews and Israeli policy.

Asking Jews to justify Israeli policy is not normal. I am a French Jew, I am accountable for the politics of my country where I vote, even if I can have an opinion on this atrocious war.

Her lawyer, Audrey Msellati, confirmed that a criminal complaint would be filed with the Grenoble prosecutor, with details to be disclosed on Thursday. Butch said she has been called "dirty Jew" and subjected to other antisemitic slurs.

Political reactions

Culture Minister Catherine Pégard met Butch on Wednesday and pledged to protect her "integrity". The ministry stated that Pégard was "extremely attentive to her work as an artist" and would ensure "the integrity of her work and her person". Aurore Bergé, the minister delegate for the fight against discrimination, said on RMC that Butch "was chased off stage because she is Jewish", adding that "they have been putting targets on the backs of French Jews since 7 October 2023".

LFI parliamentary leader Mathilde Panot acknowledged on BFMTV that the tract was "bad" and condemned the insults and projectiles, but insisted there is "no antisemitism in our ranks". Butch responded that the tract was not merely "bad" but "purely antisemitic", and called on LFI to "assume the consequences of its words".

Next concert and legal steps

Butch said she remains "in a state of shock" but will perform on Saturday at a festival in Saint-Martin-du-Tertre (Yonne) organised by the local association Le Hameau. It is her last scheduled date this summer.

I will not give in to this fear they are trying to make me feel. I will go with the same panache, the same pride, to spread messages of peace, love and hope.

She is under protection, though not police protection. The complaint is expected to be lodged on Thursday, according to her lawyer.

Background

Butch, a prominent figure of Parisian LGBT+ nightlife known for her electro-disco sets, was previously targeted by cyberharassment combining fatphobia, lesbophobia and antisemitism after her appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony. The Cabaret Frappé festival, where the incident occurred, has been organised by the city of Grenoble for 25 years.