The Blessed Madonna pulled out of Boardmasters due to alleged censorship restrictions
The Blessed Madonna has revealed she pulled out of performing at Boardmasters festival in Cornwall over alleged censorship “restrictions” on the political messaging artists could convey.
The American DJ released a statement via her Instagram explaining that she cancelled her planned set at the festival on August 9th after she and her team were made aware in the early hours of that morning of a ‘Show Stop Procedure Acknowledgement’ she would be made to sign before taking to the stage.
The Blessed Madonna, real name Marea Stamper, said in her social media statement that she objected to being “subject to a show-stop procedural agreement related to certain political messaging,” and if she were to agree, would be required to “keep political or symbolic elements of my set within the guidelines of the festival and government prior to the show.”
The DJ explained that the agreement classed Palestine Action “as equal to murderous terrorists and amongst banned symbols of hate on the same day that Netanyahu has sworn to completely ethnically cleanse Gaza City.”
To this end, she claimed that the agreement stipulated: “Any political statements, chants, or gestures will be observed, but the show will only be stopped if there is a legal or safety breach.”
This is the latest controversy to surround the festival this year. Punk band The Menstrual Cramps pulled out of their appearance due to Boardmasters, which is also a surfing event, allowing Israeli surfers to compete.
Despite their staunchly pro-Palestine stance, Bob Vylan still took to the stage but led the crowd in a series of chants and attacked Reform UK as well as the Israeli government.
Elsewhere, The Blessed Madonna promised to “make it right” for fans who had bought tickets to the festival to see her set specifically, either through guestlist to another show, gifted merchandise, “or something else very special”.
Even through the cancellation, the DJ said: “I listened to my heart to make this decision and it said: I ain’t signing shit. Free Palestine.”
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