Black Motion will not perform at the Meteor Festival in Israel

'Thabosmol’ Mabogwane and Bongani ‘Murdah’ Mohosana abathi from Black Motion. Picture: Thokozani Ndlovu

'Thabosmol’ Mabogwane and Bongani ‘Murdah’ Mohosana abathi from Black Motion. Picture: Thokozani Ndlovu

Published Aug 21, 2018

Share

The human rights and Palestine solidarity organisation BDS South Africa (BDSSA) in a statement on Tuesday said they welcome the news that the popular and award-winning South African music duo, Black Motion, are not performing in Israel.

 

According to reports, South African duo Black Motion are listed on the line-up for Meteor Festival which is being held in Israel from 6 to 8 September 2018, but will not be performing according to their management company, Spirit Motion.

Channel 24 on Monday reported that Black Motion's management emailed the event organisers, advising that their client will not be performing.

BDSSA also called on other artists, including American musician Lana De Rey, to also cancel their performances at the upcoming festival.

In a letter posted on Twitter on Sunday, Del Rey, defending her performance at the festival, stating that her band's motives are not political.

Part of her statement read: I understand many of u are upset that we're going to Tel Aviv for the Meteor festival...what I can tell you is I believe music is universal and should be used to bring us together.  "I would like to remind you that performing in Tel Aviv is not a political statement or a commitment to the politics there just as singing here in California doesn't mean my views are in alignment w my current governments opinions or sometimes inhuman actions."If you don't agree with it I get it. I see both sides.

"But me and my band have been performing all over the world for months out of the years for close to 10 years now together. And we're about to travel to a place that many big bands are playing this year and at this festival. 

"We don't always agree with the politics of the places we play within or even in our own country- sometimes we don't even feel safe, depending on how far abroad we travel- but we are musicians and we've dedicated our lives to being on the road.(sic)"

pic.twitter.com/EqkSb3wn1Q

— Lana Del Rey (@LanaDelRey) August 19, 2018

Last month, Alanis Morissette performed a show in Israel and told the crowd she loved being back in the country. 

Local musicians DJ Black Coffee and Die Antwoord also faced backlash after performing at events in Israel. And more recently, media personality Sashi Naidoo faced public scrutiny for her pro-Israel comments.

Related Topics: