Fontaines D.C. boycott gig in Turkey in solidarity with Palestine
Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C. have boycotted a forthcoming concert in Turkey in a show of solidarity with Palestine. The band were set to perform at Istanbul’s Zorlu PSM (Performing Arts Center) venue on August 20th but decided to cancel the show after the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement called for a boycott.
The band commented in a public statement: “We were really looking forward to visiting and playing beautiful Istanbul, however in this instance, we must be clear in our convictions and put solidarity with the people of Palestine first. We promise to play Turkey as soon as we can make it possible”.
The decision to cancel the show arrives after the BDS movement urged artists to cease performing at the Istanbul arena owing to its sponsorship with Zorlu PSM, an energy company which has a 25% stake in Israel’s Dorad supply plant. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel argues that “Israel can only carry out its genocide because of the impunity it is given by colonial powers and by business-as-usual from international companies and institutions”.
The campaign argues that Zorlu PSM is part of this network, therefore, artists should no co-operate with the organisation in any manner. Fontaines D.C. are among the first to heed this call and pull out of a planned show at the venue, citing solidarity as their reason.
The band have promised fans in the region that they were return and commented that all tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.
This cancellation furthers a trend of cultural boycotts spearheaded by the BDS movement. Aside from the boycotts of Zorlu PSM sponsored venues, The Great Escape festival was also hit in the UK earlier this summer due to its connection with Barclays. Speaking exclusively with Far Out last month, The Menstrual Cramps singer Emilia Elfrida said of the boycotts, “Music festivals can’t go ahead without musicians, and so musicians are the ones who have the power, even though a lot of time, it doesn’t feel like that”.
Elfrida told Far Out that the boycott will extend to future music events taking place this summer, noting, “Obviously, the boycott target is Barclays, The Great Escape is just the first thing that’s coming up to do with Barclays. So anything else that is funded by Barclays in the music industry, we’re coming for them as well.”
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