Wolfgang frontman Basti Artadi has addressed the viral video showing him ordering the removal of an audience member during the band’s reunion concert in Davao, clarifying that the incident stemmed from repeated disruptions while he was paying tribute to their late bandmate, Mon Legaspi.
In a video message posted Tuesday, Artadi said the moment was meant to honor Legaspi, the band’s bassist who passed away in 2022, but was interrupted by individuals shouting remarks, including politically charged comments.
“And that was bastos, simple as that,” Artadi said. “It was bastos.”
According to the singer, the interruptions derailed what was intended to be a heartfelt message.
“The message I was trying to deliver which was ‘Mon Legaspi is no longer with us and he is missed and he is loved and will never be forgotten’ is getting diluted by stupid sh—,” he added.
Clips circulating online showed Artadi attempting to continue his tribute despite the heckling, at one point telling the audience, “We don’t give a sh— about that tonight… We’re just here to make you forget about all that sh—.”
As the disruptions continued, Artadi warned the hecklers and asked them to respect the moment.
“If you want to do your freedom of speech, go to the fu— hallways and do it there because right here, this is rock n’ roll country. And I’m talking about Mon Legaspi so keep quiet for a bit so I can share a little bit about this guy,” he said.
When the interruptions persisted, he instructed security to remove the individual, saying, “Get that fu— guy outta here,” followed by, “Makulit ka a, umalis ka na nga.”
The crowd later cheered as the situation was handled, and the band proceeded with their performance of ‘Anino.’
Artadi also criticized how the video has been interpreted online, saying some are turning it into a political issue.
“Everybody who is now spreading this, and making it something it isn’t… you’re just separating us some more. And you’re making Mon bastos again,” he said.
He emphasized that the band’s goal was to bring people together through music, not division.
“Everything is designed to separate us… make us hate each other and we should love each other,” Artadi added.
Wolfgang is currently on a reunion tour across the Philippines, with their final stop scheduled in Cebu on April 19.