Latest news with #JonnyGreenwood
Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Free speech! But only for the people on ‘our side'
Another compelling week in the ever-flexible world of free speech. Its great champions, Reform, got in across swathes of England and immediately set about banning all flags bar the Union Jack, the St George's Cross and county insignia from flying over its town halls. Nothing rainbow, nothing woke, nothing in support of Ukraine, obviously. Turns out Reform is very much up for free speech and expression, providing the words and opinions chime with its own. This is how free speech plays in our illiberal world. The same folk who are outraged by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel shutting down concerts by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead and Israeli musician Dudu Tassa want Kneecap to be removed from the Glastonbury bill
Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Radiohead star cancels concerts with Israeli musician after ‘threats'
Jonny Greenwood, the Radiohead musician, has cancelled two concerts with the Israeli performer Dudu Tassa after 'threats' by pro-Palestinian activists. The guitarist and keyboardist condemned 'censorship' and 'intimidation' for the decision to pull out of the concerts in London and Bristol next month. 'The venues and their blameless staff have received enough credible threats to conclude that it's not safe to proceed,' Greenwood and Tassa said in a statement. 'Promoters of the shows can't be expected to fund our, or our audiences', protection.' Pro-Palestinian activists have previously urged Radiohead to cancel concerts in Israel ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES Pro-Palestinian campaigners have opposed the shows because they feature Tassa, an Israeli musician, and because their joint album, Jarak Qaribak, was partially recorded in Tel Aviv. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel described the concerts as
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Radiohead star Jonny Greenwood speaks out on cancelled shows with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa
Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood was due to play two shows with Israel-born musician Dudu Tassa in the UK in June. However, the two have confirmed that the concerts at Bristol Beacon's Lantern Hall and London's Hackney Church will no longer go ahead after the venues decided it was "not safe to proceed". Greenwood and Tassa posted a joint statement addressing the cancellations: 'The venues and their blameless staff have received enough credible threats to conclude that it's not safe to proceed.' The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (Pacbi), a member of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, welcomed the cancellations, claiming the performances would have "whitewashed" the war in Gaza. 'Forcing musicians not to perform and denying people who want to hear them an opportunity to do so is self-evidently a method of censorship and silencing,' continued the statement by Greenwood and Tassa. 'Intimidating venues into pulling our shows won't help achieve the peace and justice everyone in the Middle East deserves. This cancellation will be hailed as a victory by the campaigners behind it, but we see nothing to celebrate and don't find that anything positive has been achieved.' 'We believe art exists above and beyond politics; that art seeks to establish the common identity of musicians across borders in the Middle East should be encouraged, not decried; and that artists should be free to express themselves regardless of their citizenship or their religion – and certainly regardless of the decisions made by their governments.' The statement also referenced the statement signed by more than 100 artists regarding Belfast rap trio Kneecap. UK politicians have been trying to pressure music festivals to remove Kneecap from festival line-ups this summer over alleged concert footage showing them calling for the death of Conservative MPs and appearing to support Hamas and Hezbollah. Quoting the artist's statement expressing 'opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom', Greenwood and Tassa said: 'We have no judgement to pass on Kneecap but note how sad it is that those supporting their freedom of expression are the same ones most determined to restrict ours.' Greenwood has collaborated with Tassa for many years, and released the album 'Jarak Qaribak' with him in 2023. Their statement also said: "We agree completely with people who ask 'How can this be more important than what's happening in Gaza and Israel?' They're right - it isn't. How could it be? What, in anyone's upcoming cultural life, is?" Greenwood also faced opposition from pro-Palestinian groups last year after performing with Tassa in Tel Aviv amid the war in Gaza. Greenwood reacted to the controversy at the time by writing: 'I've been collaborating with Dudu and releasing music with him since 2008 – and working privately long before that. I think an artistic project that combines Arab and Jewish musicians is worthwhile. And one that reminds everyone that the Jewish cultural roots in countries like Iraq and Yemen go back for thousands of years, is also important.' 'Anyway, no art is as 'important' as stopping all the death and suffering around us. How can it be? But doing nothing seems a worse option. And silencing Israeli artists for being born Jewish in Israel doesn't seem like any way to reach an understanding between the two sides of this apparently endless conflict.' Greenwood concluded: 'So: that's why I'm making music with this band. You're welcome to disagree with, or ignore, what we do but I hope you now understand what the true motivation is, and can react to the music without suspicion or hate.'
Irish Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood says UK shows with Israeli-born musician cancelled because of credible threats
Radiohead musician Jonny Greenwood has said his forthcoming shows in England were cancelled because of 'credible threats'. The guitarist and keyboardist has collaborated with Israeli -born rock musician Dudu Tassa for more than a decade, and the pair were due to perform at Bristol Beacon's Lantern Hall and London's Hackney Church in June, after releasing the record Jarak Qaribak in 2023. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (Pacbi), a member of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, welcomed the axing of the gigs. It had launched a campaign for the venues to cancel the dates, claiming the duo's performances 'would have whitewashed' the war in Gaza . READ MORE The campaigners said that Greenwood and Tassa's claims were 'unsubstantiated' and were an attempt to divert attention from their links to Israel's cultural community. On Tuesday, a letter from Greenwood, Tassa and their musicians said: 'The venues and their blameless staff have received enough credible threats to conclude that it's not safe to proceed. Promoters of the shows can't be expected to fund our, or our audience's, protection.' The letter said the 'cancellation will be hailed as a victory by the campaigners behind it, but we see nothing to celebrate and don't find that anything positive has been achieved'. It went on: 'Forcing musicians not to perform and denying people who want to hear them an opportunity to do so is self-evidently a method of censorship and silencing. 'We believe art exists above and beyond politics; that art that seeks to establish the common identity of musicians across borders in the Middle East should be encouraged, not decried; and that artists should be free to express themselves regardless of their citizenship or their religion – and certainly regardless of the decisions made by their governments.' The musicians said their touring show also features singers from Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait and Iraq, with 'each of the members brought together by a shared love of Arabic song, regardless of where exactly they all happened to be born'. 'We find ourselves in the odd position of being condemned by both ends of the political spectrum,' they said. 'For some on the right, we're playing the 'wrong' kind of music – too inclusive, too aware of the rich and beautiful diversity of Middle Eastern culture. For some on the left, we're only playing it to absolve ourselves of our collective sins. 'We dread the weaponisation of this cancellation by reactionary figures as much as we lament its celebration by some progressives.' They also cited artists defending Belfast rappers Kneecap , saying they 'feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom', after the trio were criticised when one member appeared to call for Tory MPs to be killed . 'We have no judgment to pass on Kneecap but note how sad it is that those supporting their freedom of expression are the same ones most determined to restrict ours. Kneecap 'We agree completely with people who ask 'How can this be more important than what's happening in Gaza and Israel?' They're right – it isn't. How could it be? What, in anyone's upcoming cultural life, is?' They said their Arab musicians, singers and music are 'toweringly important', and if they get to play together again it will be a 'victory for our shared love and respect of the music – and of each other'. Greenwood, also a two-time Oscar -nominated composer, was criticised by pro-Palestinian groups last year for performing in Tel Aviv amid the war in Gaza. Radiohead had performed at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv in 2017, when the group's frontman, Thom Yorke, reportedly told the crowd: 'A lot was said about this, but in the end we played some music.' Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, Paul Weller and Primal Scream are among the artists who have opposed politicians calling for Kneecap to be dropped from the Glastonbury Festival line-up . Videos of a member of Kneecap allegedly saying 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP' in November 2023 and another of one of the group appearing to shout 'Up Hamas, up Hizbullah' in November 2024 are being investigated by counter-terrorism officers. The Diocese of London said: 'Hackney Church was informed last Friday by the promoter that the event wouldn't be going ahead and was instructed by the promoter to inform those who had bought tickets that they would receive a full refund.' A spokeswoman for Pacbi said: 'Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa have turned to unsubstantiated claims, attempting to divert attention from this ongoing complicity.' The statement said their pressure was 'peaceful', and also said: 'Tens of thousands of artists, writers and cultural workers and a growing number of arts organisations have publicly endorsed the cultural boycott of Israel's complicit cultural sector, as called for by Pacbi more than two decades ago.' Bristol Beacon, Avon and Somerset Police, and the Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment. – PA
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Radiohead star Jonny Greenwood hits out at 'censorship' and 'intimidation' after shows cancelled following 'credible threats'
Radiohead star Jonny Greenwood hits out at 'censorship' and 'intimidation' after shows cancelled following 'credible threats' A member of rock band Radiohead has hit out at "censorship" and "intimidation" after shows he was due to play with an Israeli musician were cancelled following "credible threats". Guitarist and keyboardist Jonny Greenwood had been due to play two shows with Israel-born rock musician Dudu Tassa at Bristol Beacon's Lantern Hall and London's Hackney Church in June. But on Tuesday, they confirmed the gigs would no longer go ahead after the venues decided it was "not safe to proceed". Greenwood has collaborated with Tassa for more than a decade and released the album Jarak Qaribak with him in 2023. ADVERTISEMENT The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (Pacbi), a member of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, welcomed the cancellations, claiming the performances would have "whitewashed" the war in Gaza. A statement from Greenwood, Tassa and their musicians said: "The venues and their blameless staff have received enough credible threats to conclude that it's not safe to proceed. Promoters of the shows can't be expected to fund our, or our audience's, protection." It said the "cancellation will be hailed as a victory by the campaigners behind it, but we see nothing to celebrate and don't find that anything positive has been achieved". It went on: "Forcing musicians not to perform and denying people who want to hear them an opportunity to do so is self-evidently a method of censorship and silencing. "We believe art exists above and beyond politics; that art that seeks to establish the common identity of musicians across borders in the Middle East should be encouraged, not decried; and that artists should be free to express themselves regardless of their citizenship or their religion - and certainly regardless of the decisions made by their governments." ADVERTISEMENT It said the show also featured singers from Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait and Iraq, with "each of the members brought together by a shared love of Arabic song, regardless of where exactly they all happened to be born". The statement also said: "We find ourselves in the odd position of being condemned by both ends of the political spectrum. "For some on the right, we're playing the 'wrong' kind of music - too inclusive, too aware of the rich and beautiful diversity of Middle Eastern culture. For some on the left, we're only playing it to absolve ourselves of our collective sins. "We dread the weaponisation of this cancellation by reactionary figures as much as we lament its celebration by some progressives." Read more: Why are Kneecap so controversial? The musicians also referenced Northern Irish rappers Kneecap, and recent calls to cancel their shows after one member appeared to call for the death of British MPs. Another video of the band appeared to show a member shouting "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah". Both claims are being investigated by counter-terrorism police. ADVERTISEMENT The statement said: "We have no judgment to pass on Kneecap but note how sad it is that those supporting their freedom of expression are the same ones most determined to restrict ours. "We agree completely with people who ask 'How can this be more important than what's happening in Gaza and Israel?' They're right - it isn't. How could it be? What, in anyone's upcoming cultural life, is?" Greenwood also faced opposition from pro-Palestinian groups last year after performing in Tel Aviv amid the war in Gaza. Radiohead performed at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv in 2017. The Diocese of London, whic looks after the Hackney Church venue, told Sky News the promoter had contacted them on Friday to say the 25 June gig wouldn't be going ahead. They said those who had bought tickets would receive a full refund. Sky News has also contacted Bristol Beacon and the promoters for comment.
