Trip hop legends Massive Attack have cancelled their upcoming gig at the Black Sea Arena in Georgia due to the government’s attack on basic human rights. The gig was planned as part of the Starring Georgia project to be held on July 28. The band announced their decision to cancel the show with the following statement: “At this moment, performing at the state-owned Black Sea Arena could be seen as an endorsement of their violent crackdown against peaceful protests and civil society. Beatings, arrests, threats, and violence against peaceful protesters, activists, and opponents, along with laws smearing civil society and denying LGBTI rights, go against everything we stand for.”
The band’s refusal to perform in Georgia follows the parliament’s approval of a “foreign agents” bill, which requires media and NGOs to register as pursuing the interests of a foreign power if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. This has been regarded as a human rights violation and a threat to free speech by many critics. The decision raised widespread unrest and warnings from both the EU and the US.
Massive Attack have always been vocal about their support for Palestine. They boycotted performances in Israel since 1999 and have announced a Gaza benefit single in collaboration with Fontaines D.C. and Young Fathers, which will reportedly release on July 1. They also supported the wave of bands that dropped out of The Great Escape Festival, stating “We’ve endless, special respect for younger artists or artists at earlier stages of their careers who choose to take a stand against corporate support for apartheid and now genocide in Palestine.”
Massive Attack has also spoken out against the violence and oppression faced by the people of Georgia. The band members feel it is the peaceful protesters’ voices that need to be heard, and their struggle needs to be placed under international spotlight. Massive Attack will continue their planned shows across the UK and Europe this summer, including a huge homecoming gig in Bristol, and makers vow to perform again in Georgia “with you in freedom”.
The upcoming homecoming gig in Bristol is to be the lowest carbon show of its size ever staged. Announced in April, the full run of artists that will be joining them as special guests for the all-day event has also been announced. These include Killer Mike, Lankum, Sam Morton, and DJ Milo from the Wild Bunch. Massive Attack will also be performing in Spain at Bilbao BBK Live and making an appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Tickets for their shows can be found at https://www.ticketmaster.com/massive-attack-tickets/artist/1019088
Read the full article on NME here: Read More