Pro-Palestinian groups are planning to protest against Nick Cave’s upcoming gig in Glasgow due to his decision to perform in Israel. Campaigners, such as Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card and Scottish Sport for Palestine, have already reached out to the singer to express their disapproval of his support for Israel.
The Australian musician is scheduled to perform at the OVO Hydro on his Wild God tour this Sunday, November 3, and activists will gather outside the venue at 7pm to voice their concerns. They have been urging Cave to join the cultural boycott of Israel and to stop normalizing the country’s actions in the region.
Critics, like Maree Shepherd of Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card, are disappointed in Cave’s remarks about the Israeli occupation and his criticism of the BDS movement. Many believe that his decision to perform in Israel and his lack of acknowledgement of the Palestinian struggle make it challenging to support his music.
The situation is reminiscent of Radiohead singer Thom Yorke’s recent encounter with a heckler at one of his solo shows in Australia. Yorke was confronted about the deaths in Gaza, prompting him to invite the heckler on stage to share his views. This incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the music industry.
In Scotland, an Israeli bowler withdrew from a competition following public backlash and a petition signed by thousands of individuals. The pressure on public figures like Nick Cave to take a stand against injustice in Gaza continues to grow, with hopes that their influence can bring about positive change.
Despite the criticism and calls for a boycott, Nick Cave’s representatives have declined to comment on the matter. The debate surrounding artists’ involvement in political issues, especially those related to human rights violations, remains a contentious topic within the music community.