Primal Scream’s 2026 headline show cancelled following Star of David and Swastika controversy
Primal Scream have had one of their 2026 headline shows cancelled following the controversy of them depicting an image of a Star of David entwined in a Swastika in London over the weekend.
The Scottish rock band came under fire after their show at the Roundhouse in London last week, where they displayed an image of a Star of David intertwined with the symbol of a Swastika, along with pictures of political figures including Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump.
As a result, their planned show at the Trentham Estate in Stoke-on-Trent, which was meant to take place on August 21st, 2026, has now been cancelled by the event organisers.
Per Stoke-on-Trent Live, they said in a statement: “The event organiser has asked us to share the following information: We are contacting you to let you know that we have taken the decision to cancel Primal Scream’s upcoming appearance at Trentham Live 2026.”
They added: “This decision follows recent reports of imagery used elsewhere by the band that we do not endorse. Trentham are committed to ensuring that our event is a safe, respectful and inclusive place for all and we will announce a replacement headliner for the Friday night.”
The statement also noted that ticketholders would receive a full refund over the course of the coming weeks.
At the time when video footage of Primal Scream’s gig emerged, the Roundhouse also condemned the imagery by saying it was “appalled that anti-Semitic imagery was displayed” before apologising “to anyone who attended the gig, and to the wider Jewish community”, adding that the video was played during the show without their prior knowledge.
Primal Scream subsequently released a response statement on Instagram that said: “The film is a piece of art. It clearly draws from history to question where the actions of current world governments sit in that context.”
The band added, “It is meant to provoke debate, not hate. In a free, pluralistic and liberal society freedom of expression is a right which we choose to exercise.”
They have not yet responded to the news of their gig in Trentham having now been cancelled.
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