Latest news with #AbdulkadirOzkan
The Independent
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Rock band Muse postpone Istanbul show over promoter comments about anti-government protests
Rock band Muse have postponed a concert in Istanbul after the event's promoter branded the actions of some anti-government protestors in the city as 'treason'. The British group, fronted by singer Matt Bellamy, said on Wednesday (2 April) that they had pushed the gig – originally scheduled to take place on 11 June – back to 2026 in order to find a new promoter. 'After careful consideration and hearing the feedback from our fans whilst fully respecting their concerns, our show in Istanbul will now be postponed until 2026 so we can ensure DBL Entertainment will not be involved,' their statement said. Turkish fans had urged the band to scrap the gig after DBL's head, Abdulkadir Ozkan, criticised the actions of people taking part in nationwide protests against the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. "Plain and simple, this is hostility towards the capital. Act of treason," Abdulkadir Ozkan wrote on X/Twitter. He later posted another message, explaining his comments were not aimed at the 'constitutional right to protests'. Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkey's largest city in March 2019, in a major blow to president Recep Rayyup Erdogan and the president's governing Justice and Development Party (AKP), which had controlled Istanbul for a quarter of a century. Erdogan's party pushed to void the municipal election results in the city of 16 million, alleging irregularities. The challenge resulted in a repeat of the election a few months later, which Imamoglu also won. He was jailed on suspicion of running a criminal organisation, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data, and bid-rigging. A request for him to be imprisoned on terror-related charges was denied. The mayor has labelled all the claims 'unimaginable accusations and slanders', according to Sky News. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Reuters reports that Ozkan later said his comment had been misinterpreted and taken out of context, adding that DBL was withdrawing from all projects. He expressed regret for any 'misunderstanding'. Turkish journalists told The Independent last week that the crackdown on protests has been the worst they have ever seen, as tens of thousands faced tear gas, batons and rubber bullets as they marched through Istanbul. More than 1,400 people were taken into custody over seven days of demonstrations against Erdogan. 'He wanted to be another Putin, but the country is not ready to be another Russia,' journalist Can Dundar told The Independent. 'So now the people are resisting, and Erdogan is pushing.' Muse, who formed in Devon 1994, are known for songs that incorporate themes of government oppression and civil uprising, particularly in their 2009 album The Resistance and in 2022's Will of the People.
Express Tribune
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Axe Istanbul gig, fans and artists tell Muse
British rock band Muse was facing pressure on Tuesday from fans and artists to cancel an upcoming Istanbul gig after the Turkish concert promoter lashed out at those involved in recent anti-government protests. In a post on X on Monday, the band announced plans to play Istanbul on June 11, with tickets going on sale on April 3. But there was immediate backlash, with fans and artists saying they would boycott the gig over remarks by Abdulkadir Ozkan, boss of DBL Entertainment, the Turkish promoter behind the event. Since March 19, Turkey has been gripped by massive anti-government protests following the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, the biggest political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The protests have been met with a sharp crackdown, prompting opposition leader Ozgur Ozel to call for a boycott of firms allegedly close to Erdogan's government. "We would love to go (to see Muse), but the Turkish organiser of this concert supports fascism," wrote Turkish theatre actor Berna Lacin on X. "The young people who were going to come to your concert were thrown in jail. Cancel it and come with another promoter," she said, addressing the band. Singer Gaye Su Akyol, popular in Turkey and abroad, also took to X in support of the boycott in a post addressed to Muse, Robbie Williams and Norwegian singer Ane Brun. "I've respected your works for years and know how much you mean to many. But neither I, nor anyone, will attend your Istanbul concerts because the organiser is on the boycott list of the pro-democracy movement," she wrote. "Solidarity matters." Brun later announced she was cancelling her gig, saying: "I have decided not to play in Istanbul this October... unfortunately, this is not the right time." Another Turkish singer, Kalben, also said she would not go to the Muse gig "because the organiser is on the boycott list of the pro-democracy movement". AFP
Reuters
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Rock band Muse postpones Turkey show after promoter criticises protests
ISTANBUL, April 2 (Reuters) - British rock bank Muse said on Wednesday it postponed a planned show in Istanbul later this year so that it would no longer involve a Turkish concert promoter whose head criticised recent anti-government protests. "After careful consideration and hearing the feedback from our fans whilst fully respecting their concerns, our show in Istanbul will be now postponed until 2026 so we can ensure DBL Entertainment will not be involved," the band said on X. Turkish fans had urged the move after DBL's head, Abdulkadir Ozkan, criticised the actions of people involved in mass nationwide protests against the arrest two weeks ago of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a move slammed as politicised. He later said his comment was misinterpreted and taken out of context, adding that DBL was withdrawing from all projects.
