The Pixies have cancelled their first performance in Israel, citing “events beyond our control”.
Although the American band did not give a reason for the cancellation, organisers said it was linked to Israel’s raid on the recent Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
“The decision was not reached easily,” the band said. “We all know well the Israeli fans have been waiting for this visit for far too long. We’d like to extend our deepest apologies to the fans but events beyond all our control have conspired against us.”
The Pixies were due to perform on June 9, headlining the second night of the Pic.Nic festival. They are not the first group to call off their appearance at Tel Aviv’s Expo grounds. Both Klaxons and Gorillaz DJs pulled out last week, without giving reasons for their decision. The Editors and Israeli duo Carusella are still scheduled to perform and English band Placebo went ahead with their show on Pic.Nic’s first night (June 5).
“It’s important to [endorse] Israel these days,” an Israeli journalist remarked in a pre-concert interview with Placebo. “I suppose so,” said frontman Brian Molko, with an awkward laugh, “you know, if you decide to go sailing.”
In the early hours of May 31 Israeli commandos launched a raid on six ships bound for Gaza. Nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed and dozens were injured in the melee, which took place in international waters. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said the soldiers were defending themselves. He has opposed an international inquiry.
Even before the events of last week, the Pixies were one of several Western acts targeted by Israeli human rights activists advocating an artistic boycott of their country.
“As much as some of us are huge fans and would love to hear your show, we won’t cross the international picket line … to come and see you,” wrote the group Boycott Israel on March 1. Singer Elvis Costello cancelled two gigs in Israel last month, calling it “a matter of instinct and conscience”.
Shuki Weiss, the promoter of the Pic.Nic festival, called on Israeli authorities to “fight against those who are doing everything they can to prevent artists from performing in Israel”. “We can only hope for better days, in which we will finally present the long-awaited visit of the Pixies in Israel,” she said. Refunds for the concert would be available.
Despite the recent spate of cancellations, several high-profile performers have performed in Israel, including Metallica, Rihanna and Kool and the Gang. Elton John and Rod Stewart are scheduled to play in the country later in the year. —