British band Massive Attack have pulled out of a concert in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, in protest against the government’s “attack on basic human rights”.
The decision to cancel the performance at the Black Sea Arena was first announced by organisers, who claimed that it had been made due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
In a statement issued a few hours later on Wednesday, the trip-hop band clarified that they feared appearing in Georgia would be seen as an endorsement of the country’s political leadership.
Critics at home and abroad have been further alarmed this month by a draft law that would prevent same-sex marriages from being registered and ensure that only “heterosexuals” could adopt children.
At the same time, references to LGBTQ+ people would be erased from public spaces under the draft legislation, and schools would be banned from making available information that supposedly “promotes belonging to the opposite sex, same-sex relations or incest”.
I feel for the fans, but it’s the right signal at a critical time. Artists have the means to sway the public opinion and energize people.
Compare that to the private Foo Fighters gig for Amazon execs, which cost a ton while they were kicking out workers because “every dollar counts”.
Or Sting playing for Microsoft execs on an island retreat.
It’s like, they don’t need the money so what the hell are they doing?
They’re friends, most of the super wealthy are.