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Radiohead member cancels tour date in Bristol due to ‘credible threats’
Jonny Greenwood has cancelled an upcoming concert in Bristol due to “credible threats”.
The artist was due to be performing at the Bristol Beacon on June 23 with the group Dudu Tassa and the Kawaitis.
In a statement, Greenwood said that “the venues and their blameless staff have received enough credible threats to conclude that it’s not safe to proceed”.
The Radiohead lead guitarist cited a campaign against the tour and its inclusion of the Jewish-Arab project for stopping the concerts going ahead.
In light of the war in Gaza, fans have made their opinions very clear on platforming anything or anyone related to Israel.
It isn’t clear from the post who has spearheaded the campaign, except that they had demanded that the venues “reaffirm their commitment to ethical, inclusive cultural programming”.
In a statement, Greenwood and Dudu Tassa said: “With regret, our shows in Bristol & London, due to take place on June 23rd & 25th have been cancelled.
“The venues and their blameless staff have received enough credible threats to conclude that it’s not safe to proceed; promoters of the shows can’t be expected to fund our, or our audience’s, protection.
“The campaign which has successfully stopped the concerts insist that ‘this is not censorship’ and ‘this isn’t about silencing music or attacking individual artists’.
“But its organizers can’t have it both ways. Forcing musicians not to perform and denying people who want to hear them an opportunity to do so is self-evidently a method of censorship and silencing.
“Intimidating venues into pulling our shows won’t help achieve the peace and justice everyone in the Middle East deserves. This cancellation will be hailed as a victory by the campaigners behind it, but we see nothing to celebrate and don’t find that anything positive has been achieved.
“The record we are touring features singers from Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Iraq. The group’s ancestral and musical roots are centuries old: in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Turkey, and all across the Middle East – each of the members brought together by a shared love of Arabic song, regardless of where exactly they all happened to be born.
“The silencing campaign has demanded that the venues ‘reaffirm (their) commitment to ethical, inclusive cultural programming’. Just not this particular mix of cultures, apparently.
“We believe art exists above and beyond politics; that art that seeks to establish the common identity of musicians across borders in the Middle East should be encouraged, not decried; and that artists should be free to express themselves regardless of their citizenship or their religion – and certainly regardless of the decisions made by their governments.
“This project has always had a difficult, narrow channel to navigate. We find ourselves in the odd position of being condemned by both ends of the political spectrum.
“For some on the right, we’re playing the ‘wrong’ kind of music – too inclusive, too aware of the rich and beautiful diversity of Middle Eastern culture.
“For some on the left, we’re only playing it to absolve ourselves of our collective sins.
“We dread the weaponisation of this cancellation by reactionary figures as much as we lament its celebration by some progressives.
“And yet, meekly agreeing to be silenced without some response feels wrong.
“As the artist’s statement supporting Kneecap says: ‘As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom… In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs that will be enjoyed by thousands of people.’
“Nor should anyone. We have no judgement to pass on Kneecap but note how sad it is that those supporting their freedom of expression are the same ones most determined to restrict ours.
“We agree completely with people who ask: ‘how can this be more important than what’s happening in Gaza and Israel?’ They’re right — it isn’t. How could it be? What, in anyone’s upcoming cultural life, is?
“We feel great admiration, love and respect for all the performers in this band, especially the Arab musicians and singers who have shown amazing bravery and conviction in contributing to our first record, and in touring with us.
“Their artistic achievements are toweringly important, and we hope one day you will get to hear us play these songs – love songs mostly – together with us, somewhere, somehow.
“If that happens, it won’t be a victory for any country, religion, or political cause. It’ll be a victory for our shared love and respect of the music – and of each other.”
Main photo: Jonny Greenwood
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