Jonny Greenwood Condemns ‘Censorship’ and ‘Intimidation’ After UK Shows Canceled Due to ‘Credible Threats’
Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and Israeli musician Dudu Tassa have publicly condemned the cancellation of their upcoming UK concerts, attributing the decision to “credible threats” received by venue staff. The duo described the cancellations as acts of “censorship” and “intimidation,” expressing concern over the suppression of artistic expression.(Latest news & breaking headlines)
The canceled performances, scheduled for June at Bristol’s Beacon and London’s Hackney Church, were part of a tour promoting their 2023 collaborative album Jarak Qaribak. The album features reinterpretations of Arabic love songs and includes contributions from artists across the Middle East, including Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Iraq.(Sky News, The Guardian)
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), affiliated with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, supported the cancellations, arguing that the concerts would have “whitewashed Israel’s genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza” and underlying settler-colonial apartheid regime.(The Times of Israel)
In a joint statement, Greenwood and Tassa expressed their dismay: “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 … audience’s, protection.” They further stated, “Forcing musicians not to perform and … .”(Sky News)
The artists highlighted the diverse cultural backgrounds of the performers involved in Jarak Qaribak, emphasizing the project’s aim to celebrate Middle Eastern musical heritage. They lamented the politicization of their work, noting, “For some on the right, we’re … —too inclusive, too aware of the … .”(The Guardian)
Greenwood and Tassa also drew parallels to other instances of artistic censorship, referencing the support received by Irish rap group Kneecap in the face … controversy. They questioned the consistency of those defending artistic freedom for some acts while opposing theirs.(The Guardian)
Despite the setbacks, Greenwood and Tassa remain hopeful about future performances that transcend political divisions. “If that happens, it won’t be … —and of each other,” they concluded.(The Guardian)
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