advertisement
Music News

Fontaines D.C. Cancel Istanbul Concert in Solidarity With Palestinian People

"We must be clear in our convictions," the band wrote in a post backing the BDS movement.

Conor Curley, Grian Chatten and Tom Coll from Fontaines D.C. perform at Bergenfest 2024 on June 12, 2024 in Bergen, Norway.

Conor Curley, Grian Chatten and Tom Coll from Fontaines D.C. perform at Bergenfest 2024 on June 12, 2024 in Bergen, Norway.

Per Ole Hagen/Redferns

Amid the ongoing war in Gaza and mounting calls for a ceasefire, Fontaines D.C. have canceled their upcoming concert at Zorlu PSM in Istanbul in a show of support for the Palestinian people.

With the Irish band set to embark on a tour through Europe and North America later this month, bandmates Grian Chatten, Carlos O’Connell, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan III and Tom Coll had been slated to take the stage at the Turkish venue on Aug. 20. In a group statement posted to Instagram Stories on Thursday (Aug. 1), however, they shared that they’d be pulling out of the performance as part of an ongoing, international call for companies like Zorlu Holding — which owns the performing arts center in question — to divest from Israel.


advertisement

“To all our wonderful fans in Turkey,” it reads. “Further to conversations with Palestinian artists and human rights activists, we have now decided to cancel our show at Zorlu PSM, Istanbul on Tuesday 20th August. The global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement led by the largest Palestinian coalition, has called on artists to refuse to play Zorlu PSM until Zorlu fully divests from the supply of energy to Israel while it carries out what the International Court of Justice now agrees is plausibly a genocide.

“We were really looking forward to visiting and playing Istanbul, however in this instance, we must be clear in our convictions and put solidarity with the people of Palestine first,” the message continues, with the band pledging full refunds to ticket-holders. “We promise to play in Turkey as soon as we can make it possible.”

According to a post on the BDS committee’s official Instagram — which Fontaines also reshared on Stories — Zorlu owns part of Dorad, a large power plant located in Israel. “A campaign from BDS Turkey has already compelled Zorlu Energy to partially divest from the Israeli energy market,” it reads. “But until it fully divests from the Dorad plant, Zorlu Holdings and all its subsidiaries should be held accountable.”

advertisement

Israel has been at war with the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas since the Oct. 7 attacks, in which 1,200 Israeli people were killed and 250 abducted. Since then, more than 39,000 Palestinian people have been killed by Israel’s forces, according to The Associated Press.

This article was originally published by Billboard U.S.

advertisement
Owen Riegling leads CMAOntario) Awards nominations with six.
Matt Berinato

Owen Riegling leads CMAOntario) Awards nominations with six.

FYI

Music News Digest: Country Music Association of Ontario Awards Ready To Roll, Toronto Jazz Fest Names Lineup

Also this week: Jessica Sevier signs to Paquin, the Toronto Blues Society celebrates its 40th anniversary party and the return of the star-studded Dream Serenade benefit.

Awards News

The annual Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) Awards and Festival takes place in Hamilton this weekend. “’Hamilton is Home’ goes the popular local expression, and that’s just what it feels like as we return to Hamilton for the 13th annual CMAOntario Festival and Awards, to reward and celebrate the best of us,” said the organization’s chair Patrick Duffy.

Events include the industry-driven R2i TuneUp Conference, Songs and Stories: Songwriters in the Round, featuring such notables as The Redhill Valleys, Andrew Hyatt, Sacha, Nate Haller, Robyn Ottolini, The Western Swing Authority and other nominees, all performing on May 30 at the Textile Building, the Bonfire showcase plus two open stages. The weekend concludes with the grand finale, the 13th Annual CMAOntario Awards Show, at the historic The Music Hall (in New Vision United Church) on June 1.

keep readingShow less
advertisement